PANJIM: Of late there are a number of agitations initiated by locals against government projects. Most of the projects are launched by the State or Central Government without taking the stakeholders into consideration. In this context, Herald Media asked people, “Is the govt constantly ignoring local communities in development, as seen in Kapreshwar Devasthan Highway issue, Malim private jetty and Bhoma highway issues?”
Yes, I would be straight forward that the answer should not be long. In a situation like this when you have a sledgehammer majority in the Assembly and Parliament, this is what happens. So now no one cares for anyone and this is going to be the trend unless someone like the Congress or someone else does something else does something about it and brings the government to check. I have not given up, but I have taken a backseat, because it is of no use. However much you make noise, however much you may say things. It is happening across the board. In Goa if you see the frontage of the Mandovi river, which was a pleasure of any senior citizen, it is all gone to the dogs. It’s all gone to the Casinos, one by one.
Armando Gonsalves, Founder, GoaForgiving
Maybe this infrastructure is needed for development. But in so many cases, maybe intellectuals, activists, citizens have persuaded the government to come up with studies and these studies have to percolate down to the constituency, village and ward level. But it appears that government just does not care for it. The Panchayati Raj Act has been just cast aside. Five six months in advance Government has to send a professional team to the panchayat and the wards to take the people into confidence, so that people are mentally prepared. Otherwise they are caught unawares, then there are agitations, government blames the people for coming on the roads.
Anthony D'Silva, Social Activist
Niz Goenkars have become a minority. There are attempts to divide the Goans based on caste and religion. And who is doing this? Those we have elected to save Goa. And they try to disturb the peace by creating distinction among people. Those who were elected to unite and lift us up are putting us down. Whom are they supporting? They are supporting outsiders by creating vote banks to keep them in power. It pains me to tell you that wherever we go we have to protest. We see destruction everywhere. Why does this destruction happen? Because attempts are made to benefit the outsiders. They are given the assurance that they should come to Goa and we (politicians) will support you.
Mariano Ferrao, Social Activist