Policy and Governance has always been streamlined by the “inspiration” of those elected and in control of power. Back then, the greatness of the Roman Empire was inspired by men such as Pompeii, Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar and Nero. It was during this era that democracy was conceptualised and shaped to be what it is today. But even in those days, elected representatives used the pulse of the people, the demands of the people and the necessity of better city infrastructure to stay in power. They argued deliberated, created divisions and opposed in the senate. Moreover, the senators were land grabbers and gold diggers. They fought wars and incited the people to take pleasure in the glory of victory while they themselves feasted on the golden spoils of war. Can we say that things have changed today? Today, the situation has only become complex. Today we have microeconomics and the credit markets to create wealth just from ideas. And while money keeps changing hands, politicians have become wiser and have better skills. Yet, the expectant voter and the public at large continue to be inspired, incited, blinded, fooled and at times even insulted.
There are many who will stand down and say, “life is like that” or “It’s the system” or”This is politics”. But how many of us realise that we must vote for better administrators, better managers and better economists? Most people are blinded by the idea that we must vote for good politicians and we must continue to be governed by politicians, rather than good administrators. Everybody hates office politics, so why have it govern us? Those who have been defeated in the previous elections are still around; many running smaller offices in the government while others have decided to give more time to their private businesses. But what never changes is “THE SYSTEM” of give and take that continues to fuel every policy of governance. Even public doles are given deliberately in an attempt to secure support and undying loyalty; loyalty at the time of elections.
But what saddens the public the most is the waste that these so called politicians cause. So many projects have been conceptualised and initiated. Yet, so many projects have been scrapped because of political enmity. Take for example the Mala Lake project. Conceptualised as departmental store, and even been deliberated to become a Mall. But suddenly faces scrapping and its present structures labelled ‘dilapidated’. Now, dilapidated is a very serious word to be used for an RCC structure that is less than twenty years old. We have structures such as the Junta House among many more edifices in Panaji, including starred city hotels that are far older and still being used efficiently. Now if there are sections that need to be repaired, these can be grouted and repaired by RCC specialists. But it is sinful to scrap and demolish a constructed project after inciting a few locals and obtaining a court order. Another example is the IT Habitat Project. This was conceptualised near Porvorim and later shifter to Dona Paula. At both locations, roads were planned and developed. Drainage and electrical Infrastructure for institution / industrial buildings was initiated and partially developed. But both projects stand scrapped due to political rivalry. The latest project to face the political sledgehammer is the Navelim-Benaulim Bridge. At the GMC & Hospital, one will find a fleet of Ambulances awaiting repairs while moss and grass sprout on them. Will they be scrapped too?
Our present Goa Government as well as previous governments have continuously sought the services of the same feasibility consultants for different projects spending crores of tax payer rupees. Then suddenly the projects get labelled as “Scam”.
It is important that our elected representatives and those who believe in good governance, understand that the Government efficient performance will be gauged not only on development undertaken and completed, but also on wastage avoided.
