The common man seems to be taken for a ride every day, at times by the politicians and NGOs in a changed environment where the civil society is quite active. Recent events in Goa, where the Rahejas somehow managed to calm down the activists against their project in 2007 and force them to fall in line, have made the people lose their faith in activism. It is true that NGOs at times take up issues which have got a good scope for negotiation and final settlement where the NGOs can arm twist the party concerned using RTI and public support. People are herded at meetings, rallies and dharnas to show the might of these activists and their public following. While it is important to mention that all NGOs are not the same type, there are also a few who have a proven history of pursuing social issues to a definite conclusion and staying by the side of the people at all costs.
Activists and NGOs also at times come under various threats, and political pressures to surrender against a formidable system of corruption tainted public governing system very difficult to counter for the common man. While former activists against the Raheja Mega Project have changed sides when in power by lending support, it is worth pondering what forced them to join hands with Raheja against the overall sentiments of the villagers.
Even a public appeal from the priests and other activists/NGOs at the public meeting has not managed to change their decision so far. The very fact that villagers were kept in the dark about the progress of the Raheja Chrysalis file gives enough weight for the villagers’ suspicion of serious irregularities in the entire project file. Although Raheja Chrysalis might have got the clearances by hook or crook from the various agencies, it has still not got the most important approval that is from the villagers themselves. The carrot of CSR dangled before the villagers will only be a boon for all involved in the project to siphon off the CSR funds in the name of corporate aided development.
The Sarpanch’s resignation was a master-stroke and obviously helped her to muster public sympathy and claim cleaner conscience than the others in a fully charged up atmosphere in Carmona. It is the first time most probably that villagers have to agitate against their own village Panchayat at a time when they should be supporting the villagers on this issue. The cost of Raheja land in 2007 at approximately Rs 1000 per sq mtr has appreciated to above Rs 10000 per sq mtr under the present project in a very short time. In fact, scrapping of their project in 2007 because of public uproar h as helped them to reap heavy returns on their investments in Carmona.
Every day the talk at the village corners, taverns, and balconies is Raheja and the infamous U-Turn and its reasons. The sleepy village of Carmona has rudely awakened itself and yet to recover from the shock when the Raheja file was being hurriedly attempted to be cleared by the Panchayat for granting the final construction licence. The whole point is how the public can follow true activists and NGOs with their talks or their track record.
The mega project in Orlim is ready for occupancy in spite of sustained opposition from activists but we need to think what made this finally happen. The present activists/NGOs against the Raheja project need to beware and not fall prey to Raheja’s charm, coercion and other arm-twisting methods to achieve their set objectives towards “Save Carmona” and “Save Goa”.
