While it may have been felt necessary to conduct a debate on AAP’s announcement of free electricity up to 300 units and for 24 hours, one must ask if this was the most important issue for all Goans.
The benefits of free power were debated with AAP saying that this would bring a lot of relief to many families and Goa Power Minister Nilesh Cabral stating that there were so many schemes launched by the Goa government which are far more beneficial and the free power scheme is impractical.
Goans will live with candles but should they choke with coal?
The coal pollution is only going to increase when more wagons are going to move on the double tracks. People are already losing land and the coal pollution is making them lose sleep. Diseases such as tuberculosis can take lives. The whole of Goa, and not just Sough Goa has marched through the State, the young and old have held marches and dharnas, there are those against whom cases have been filed by the government.
People, would have expected AAP to raise this issue more strongly not just through a debate but through so many means, so that the people may know their stand on such an important people’s issue.
Meanwhile, our farms are being destroyed, the State planning process is geared towards the building lobby, mini townships are coming up in pristine villages, the people are no longer involved in the planning process. Yet again people have asked why such critical issues are not coming up for discussion and debate.
Every aspect of Goan life like fishing, farming, river management and issues of self-reliance and self-employment are at stake. In the light of all this, is the decision of free power the single-most important pre-election subject?
Goa has just faced its worst ever floods with large parts of Goa devastated. The people have lost homes, belongings, their savings and gold. They have no food. Some parties have indulged in political tourism but what we need is a proper relief package immediately and material to rebuild homes. How come this need has never been voiced?
People-centric issues raised sensitively draw people closer and parties win people’s confidence. At the end of the day, it should touch the lives of people when they need it and feel it the most. Is that happening? That’s what people are asking.
