PANJIM: The recently-formed ‘Goa People’s Voices COVID-19 Response’ has urged the government to reconstitute the committee to study the impact of the infection and suggest measures to revive the economy.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the departments concerned, the group led by Abhijit Prabhudesai has opposedthe ‘composition of the subject committee’ which has been formed by the government to revive the economy of the State.
“It severely lacks representation of our critical economic sectors and will fail to meet its objectives unless its composition is revised. We urge you to reconstitute the committee immediately,” the letter states.
The group pointed out that the committee is largely comprises of representatives of industrial corporations, financial institutions and the govt whereas those representing diverse economic sectors of the State are missing. This, Goa People’s Voices alleged ‘will render the committee incapable of studying the economic impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic and suggesting measures for revival of the economy of the State’.
“The most important socio-economic sectors such as community and small farmers, traditional fishing community, tribals, industrial workers, women, education, health and environment are totally unrepresented in the present committee. Without representatives from these diverse and important economic sectors being included in the committee, it will be impossible for the objectives of the Committee to be fulfilled,” it further said.
“The present crisis has led to severe economic hardships for the poor and working classes. Lakhs of persons have lost their livelihoods and means for sustenance in Goa, such as daily wage workers in various sectors; carpenters, craftsmen, artists and other skilled workers; motorcycle pilots, small guest house owners, shack owners and other self-employed persons, etc. Therefore, the focus of the economic revival must be for the restoration of the livelihoods of these and other persons from the working classes and for the mitigation of economic deprivation and hardships as an immediate goal,” the group suggested.
Since planning and decision making has to be a bottom up process, with people’s participation included as a crucial and integral part, the Prabhudesai-led group said it is essential that the findings and recommendations of this committee (even on being reconstituted) are placed before the people at large for their suggestions and inputs, before deciding the way forward for the revival of the State economy and for the lifting of the present restrictions.
In view of these inputs, the group suggested reconstitution of the committee with proper representation from all sectors of Goa’s economy. “The informed consultative processes with the public must be initiated and there is immediate need to address mitigation of economic hardship and deprivation,” the letter adds.
