In cricketing terms, Goa has got off to a really poor start in 2018. The supreme court judgement means mining is going to come to a grinding halt by the middle of March 2018. Then we had a taxi strike which apart from damaging the tourist image of Goa, severely dented the reputation of many politicians. The formation of the Greater Panaji PDA was another setback that exposed the behind the scene activities that take precedence over Goan interests, It is surely a messy affair for Goa going forward, no pun intended. Then the body blow, the one person who is cornerstone of this Government, CM Manohar Parrikar is sick with mild pancreasitis.
The Supreme court judgement has far reaching consequences. The short sighted approach to try and bypass the auction clause has led to another stoppage. One can argue that by renewing the leases Goa, has saved it self from gang lords or that it prevents transfer of goan mines into the hands of so called outsiders. The point is auctions as proved in the case of coal mine auctions bring in much needed revenue for the State and everyone can bid, including local mine owners (this term itself was a fallacy, they were actually goan lease holders). We seem to have no issue handing coal mined by an outsider in Australia but if the same Adani grabs a lease in Goa, that is a problem, why?. If one looks at the landscape of hotels there are very few goan owned hotels and many owners actually lease out their properties to large groups from outside. So what is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander.
Unfortunately, every MLA is batting for renewal of leases, are they just saying it for the gallery or do they really want Goa to continue to be short changed as before. The argument that poor people in the rural areas will get effected and thus it was necessary to renew the leases in a hurry without application of mind. I do hope that going forward the MLA’s will actually stop playing to the gallery and start by agreeing to do what is in the best interests of Goa over the long term. The latest development of an all party team of MLA’s heading to Delhi is not going to be anything more than a jaunt. Neither is a new law foreseeable to bypass the Supreme court order as was done in the case of Cidade De Goa. People are very right is expecting something similar as if can be done for an individual why not for a larger population? MLA’s will find it hard to answer the people for sure. Unfortunately the fact that Parrikar is indisposed is going to hamper this decision even further.
The taxi strike was avoidable but dodging the bullet and passing buck will solve nothing. The Supreme court decision has to be taken seriously and implemented. This issue of speed governors is diversionary, and the taximen are right. Accidents are not only caused by speed of the taxis but also poor road engineering, jay walkers potholes etc . The real issue got swept under the carpet, that is the issue of allowing taxi aggregators viz Ola Uber or Meru. Why can the taxi trade not see the explosion in usage with the app based system. Today, the focus is only on handling tourists. Why should locals be left out, imagine the opportunities for locals to go for an outing just because a cheaper mode of transport is available at their doorstep. The State can have a taxi culture that rivals Mumbai or Bangalore. This means more business for taximen, but the rider here is you have to drive to earn, no more playing cards and make a killing on one fare and relax for the rest of the day
The fact that citizens are the least of our law makers concern is very evident in the formation of the Greater Panaji PDA. This is a move where despite denials, is clearly a back room deal sealed to reward Babush for giving Parrikar a walkover. The deal is going to create a mess as if it goes through despite the opposition, will mean that we can see such adhoc PDA’s springing up all over Goa, as a reward or to create lucrative posts for all and sundry, …..one can imagine some people already planning and carving out the different areas of Goa.
And while there is so much action or inaction going on, the star batsman, the cornerstone of this Government has had to retire hurt. Retired hurt and having to go to Mumbai and beyond what what is being described as mild, speaks volumes about the state of our health care in Goa. Parrikar, came back to present his budget, is it because he did not trust his nominated second in command, to present it verbatim or could it be that it could cause strife within the party? Then there is Goa Forward who is expressly part of this rainbow coalition only because Parrikar is the CM, what will be their stand if the absence is for a longer duration? If there is one U turn one can pray for it would be to see that CM Parrikar moves from ill health to healthy as soon as possible.
God please save Goa.
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