Team Herald
PANJIM: On the eve of completing two years in the saddle, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar did what his government has been known for doing – take a ‘U’ turn. The statement that Goa does not require special status symbolizes the functioning of the BJP-led government, with Parsekar as Chief Minister for the last two years.
It was on November 8, 2014, that the BJP had made a major ‘U’ turn. After having promised to retain Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister of Goa for five years, the party decided to shift the Panjim MLA to Delhi as Defence minister in the Narendra Modi government, and replaced him in Goa with Parsekar. But that change did not bring the ‘parivartan’ that the BJP had promised during the 2012 election campaign.
The Mandrem MLA’s tenure as CM began with people trying to compare him with Parrikar’s charisma and promise of good governance. In his first press conference, Parsekar made it clear that he cannot be compared to Parrikar as they are different individuals, albeit belonging to the same ideology. And that he proved in the last two years.
Whether announcing that special status is not feasible, or not defending his ministers from opposition attacks or being firm on his decision not to bow down to pressure of rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar and the BBSM on the medium of instruction issue, Parsekar proved to be more practical than Parrikar, though at the same time he wasn’t a favourite of his cabinet colleagues.
While his first year as CM went without major challenges, the second year saw Parsekar gaining confidence in his leadership role.
The first reported reversal of a decision by Parsekar was regarding VAT on petrol. Parrikar after ceremoniously abolishing VAT on petrol and decreasing the price by Rs 11 per litre, gained national fame, but he had later reimposed VAT. Parsekar kept increasing VAT, resulting in a rise in the price of petrol bust said the price would be kept below Rs 60 per litre, a promise he has fulfilled till date.
The hint of a bigger U turn came when Parsekar said there was no possibility of getting special status for Goa. From an initial statement that Goa ‘may not get it’, the language on special status has now changed to ‘Goa doesn’t want it’. Parsekar went on to claim that the Zuari bridge and Parrikar’s induction in the central cabinet are on par with special status, ignoring the fact that the demand for special status was protection of the land and identity.
Despite being in debt, the Chief Minister kept up the pace of development, however, there is no social welfare scheme to his credit, though under him Goa became the first State to provide medical insurance to its residents. Parsekar had proposed the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (Medical insurance scheme) during his tenure as Health Minister under Parrikar, and then as Chief Minister ensured it got introduced under his Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza.
Also, the Investment Promotion Board (IPB), of which he is chairman, has given its nod to over Rs 10,000 crore worth projects with 23,000 job opportunities.
The Parsekar government’s biggest criticism came when his government introduced the amendment to the Trees Act declassifying the coconut tree as a tree. It led to massive protests and anti-government slogans. The extended deadlines to shift the offshore casinos from River Mandovi added to the failures.
Two successes during his tenure are the organization of Defence Expo and the BRICS summit, both events of international standards that went without a hitch.
But, while the mining industry crawled towards restarting full-fledged operations, the government did little to rejuvenate the industry. The industry continues in the doldrums, with ancillary service industry and workers suffering while mine owners look at an uncertain future.
