Today, I suddenly remembered about Mohd. Jinnah, the man responsiblefor the division of India, along with Nehru, who, has also been thechief architect of the prevailing misery in Goa. During my collegedays way back in the late 70’s I read about Jinnah who was taken tocourt during India’s freedom struggle. The British judge irritatedwith his attitude, stubbornness and lack of respect, waving his fingerat Jinnah said “I see a fool in you” and Jinnah with a bow said “In that case I must be the mirror”.
Yes indeed ! As our Political elite led by Chief Minister DigambarKamat are all waiting for the “gong”, to start off the celebrations ofthe so called 50 years of liberation, they have to look withinthemselves and see what their conscience reflects in the mirror.Yes indeed ! In 50 years a lot can be achieved. As shown by theJapanese, more than a decade ago, Nagasaki and Hiroshima mourned fortheir dead and the destruction that was caused by the first two atombombs 50 years earlier and within 50 years both these devastatedcities look like any other Japanese cities. What an achievement it hasbeen ! yes indeed ! There is a vast difference between the Japanesemantra and the Goan mantra and it espouses the will to do and performon the part of the Japanese and our apathy or indifference to do andperform.
It’s been 50 years since the Portuguese left Goans shores, was thatliberation ? No my dear Goans, it wasn’t liberation, it was annexationby force, India forced it’s self on us, it wasn’t a choice as therewas no referendum like the opinion poll, our Goan leaders fell forconniving moves of some of the then Indian leaders and inherited theirlegacy of corruption and communalism. Goa was never a part of theIndian union prior to the arrival of the Portuguese, as there was noIndian union then, there is history to prove it, neither were we partto the Indian Constitution, so why did Goa become a part of India post 1961 ?
Fifty years of what are our politicians celebrating ? Goa’s freedomfrom dictatorship to the subjection to India, victims of their pseudosecular democracy ? What has Goa achieved as a result of it’s freedom? How much has the basic Goan quality of live improved ? Has the basicsituation changed or even improved in any way since 1961 ? At leastprior to 1961, we were Goans in Goa, living in security, today we arebecoming outsiders in our own land, living as insecure as a new bornbaby, as a matter of fact we have reversed our time machine to the eraof lawlessness. Goa is being mutilated and disembodied, even more withevery passing year. Why are the promises made by Nehru not fulfilledeven after fifty years ?
It is our culture, customs, traditions, festivals, occupations,hospitality, our very way of life and above all our language thatestablishes our unique identity, which is certainly different from therest of India and well respected around the world. The over fivecenturies of Portuguese rule had to have it’s effects on the lives ofGoans and that is the reason why Nehru had to promise Goa specialstatus to safeguard this unique identity.
Over the years due to the non implementation of this promise and thegreed of our own politicians, our unique Goan Identity has beendiluted and continues to dilute further, as Goa becomes a paradisesought after by the affluent as well as the downtrodden along withall the most wanted, from all over India and the rest of the world,flocking down to Goa in hoards with little or no thought at all.
The limited mining legacy left by the Portuguese has been turned intoa free for all orgy, butchering the very innards of Goa, that feedthem, whereas the pristine beaches have been taken over by drug lords,mafia and pimps. Crime and criminals have been feasting, courtesy ofthe politicians-police-criminals nexus.
Looking at the turmoil and chaos in Goa, we do need to look hardwithin ourselves, for our part in this degeneration of Goa through ourapathy and our inaction. In truth, it is we who are contributing tothe slow and agonising death of Goa, we should not be celebrating butinfact mourning for the 50 years of corrupt and communal ideologiesthat were forced on us through their pseudo secular democracy byIndia.
As I see the political elite all decked up for the celebration, I feelit’s utter shame and disgrace for Goans to celebrate 50 years of thisliberation that isn’t and that never was and will never be.
I wonder, what will our politicians see as a reflection of their conscience inthe mirror ? Epitomes of humanity or a disgrace to mankind ?
Goa !Take your pick.
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.
December 16, 2010
LAND LOSERS IN GOA ARE NOT LIVING IN FOOL'S PARADISE MR. CHIEF MINISTER.
By Nisser Dias 16th Dec 2010
Land losers are not living in fool’s paradise Mr. Chief Minister
Very recently chief minister of Goa Digambar Kamat made some grand announcement that his government would pay land losers compensation at the market rate. For politicians it is very easy to make such comments not only beforehand but even before application of mind. Of course politicians are known to resort to rhetoric to appease the masses and also for votes. But when statement involving crores and crores of exchequers money is made, people immediately realize that the politician (in this case the chief minister) is trying to pull wool over their eyes.
The question before us today is can this government afford to pay land owners whose land has been acquired at the market value. What has necessitated such a statement is government’s overwhelming greed to acquire land in the name of development and the growing opposition from land losers to part with the land. Basically the rate that the government awards to the land losers is meagre compared to the astronomical market value. People have to approach the courts to enhance the compensation paid to them by the government.
But in the recent years, ministers saw an opportunity to amass wealth by indiscriminately acquiring land and leasing it out to corporate houses, industrialists and even to real estate developers and builders. Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Golf courses, IT parks, Food processing units, Cricket stadium, and Mopa International airport are few such examples where government tried to acquire land for personal benefits.
People of Goa saw through the designs of the government and started agitating at each and every project that was sanctioned in the state. Recently their stand was vindicated by the High Court when it observed that proper procedure was not followed in allotment of huge tracts of land for SEZs. Elected representative also lent their support to people but only where they did not stand to gain. For example development of IT Habitat at Dona Paula was stopped for whatever reasons, then before the general election in 2006 some politicians strongly objected to an airport at Mopa and six laning of the national highway but today have done a complete volte facie. Due to the self-indulgence of politicians, the government is not leaving any stone unturned to acquire more and more land thus agitating Goans and facing their wrath.
The chief minister Digambar Kamat saw that people of Goa would not allow widening of the national highways and in a bid to pacify or more specifically to deceive them announced that the government to compensate them at market rate. Let us first understand how government arrives at a price to be paid to land losers in ordinary circumstances. The collector of the particular district collects sale statistics from the mamladar and sub registrar of the properties to be acquired. Based on the lowest sale deed he works out the modalities and finally comes with a rate that is condemnable. Ultimately what the land losers receives is a pittance. Ironically the collector has absolutely no knowledge of land valuation and worst still is the fact that qualified government land valuers are never consulted on this issue. And in the committee that is being formed to determine the market value of land to be acquired Collectors of both the districts Goa are named as members. What justice can the Goans get from these two officials when it is well know that they are the puppets in hands of politicians? To my mind they will adopt the same system that is currently being used by them or in hindsight decide on individual basis for personal benefits or at the behest of the politicians.
Be that as it may, what will be criteria adopted to fix the market value of the land that is being acquired. For example on a stretch of land of one kilometre adjoining the highway – say part of it is developed with grocery stores, pharmacy, hospital, ATMs meaning local business activity while the other stretch is still yet to be developed, how will the committee decide the market value of this stretch of land. Is it going to value the stretch with business activity higher than the other? The owner of the undeveloped stretch of land in his wisdom must have kept it undeveloped with the thought that in near future when land gets scarce he might get much higher price. Then how will the committee compensate the developed stretch of land, will it assess each and every business enterprise at the present market value per se or will it assess their profits for the next ten years and then fix the market value? The government has to address these issues first.
Then comes the question of period of time that the government is going to take to pay the compensation for land along the National Highways along the length and breadth of Goa. If there is a delay in prompt payment will the government pay the interest. Given our state finances which are not very healthy. I am saying this because just last week policemen had a tough time getting their salaries. The bank simply refused to accept salary cheques to credit their salaries. Police personnel were forced to get endorsement from the state government’s accounts department only then salaries were released.
Then there are plenty of cases where the government is yet to release funds for land that is already acquired. Worse still is the fact that victims of natural calamities in the state and victims of last year’s Canacona floods are yet to receive compensation from the government. There are hundreds of mediclaim applications pending before the government. Payments of these are kept in abeyance because the government does not have adequate funds to meets these demands. Less spoken about the pension scheme the better it is. So the question how will Digambar Kamat government generate the type of money to pay land losers at market value. The price of paying market value for land in Goa will be so high that it will override the cost of widening the national highways passing through Goa. Can Goa government sustain such a huge financial burden especially when it is yet to implement the sixth pay scales in all the government departments?
In conclusion does the chief minister Digambar Kamat’s announcement has the backing of the cabinet? Has it been agreed in the cabinet or is it that the chief minister is talking in the air.
For a moment let’s grant him that he has the cabinet sanction for the decision to pay market value to land users. Firstly will he be able to clear all the cases before completion of his term. He might issue awards to all the land losers but will the next government if not headed Digambar Kamat honour it? Chief Ministers should realise that state finances are not their personal kitty to dole out money as and how they want. Lok Ayukta might not have not come to force, but there are enough agencies to stop the chief minister from using exchequers’ money in a foolish manner. Lastly Mr. Chief Minister none of the Goans are convinced with your statement as we are not living in a fool’s paradise.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com
Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT on Thursday. This article was published in GT today)
Land losers are not living in fool’s paradise Mr. Chief Minister
Very recently chief minister of Goa Digambar Kamat made some grand announcement that his government would pay land losers compensation at the market rate. For politicians it is very easy to make such comments not only beforehand but even before application of mind. Of course politicians are known to resort to rhetoric to appease the masses and also for votes. But when statement involving crores and crores of exchequers money is made, people immediately realize that the politician (in this case the chief minister) is trying to pull wool over their eyes.
The question before us today is can this government afford to pay land owners whose land has been acquired at the market value. What has necessitated such a statement is government’s overwhelming greed to acquire land in the name of development and the growing opposition from land losers to part with the land. Basically the rate that the government awards to the land losers is meagre compared to the astronomical market value. People have to approach the courts to enhance the compensation paid to them by the government.
But in the recent years, ministers saw an opportunity to amass wealth by indiscriminately acquiring land and leasing it out to corporate houses, industrialists and even to real estate developers and builders. Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Golf courses, IT parks, Food processing units, Cricket stadium, and Mopa International airport are few such examples where government tried to acquire land for personal benefits.
People of Goa saw through the designs of the government and started agitating at each and every project that was sanctioned in the state. Recently their stand was vindicated by the High Court when it observed that proper procedure was not followed in allotment of huge tracts of land for SEZs. Elected representative also lent their support to people but only where they did not stand to gain. For example development of IT Habitat at Dona Paula was stopped for whatever reasons, then before the general election in 2006 some politicians strongly objected to an airport at Mopa and six laning of the national highway but today have done a complete volte facie. Due to the self-indulgence of politicians, the government is not leaving any stone unturned to acquire more and more land thus agitating Goans and facing their wrath.
The chief minister Digambar Kamat saw that people of Goa would not allow widening of the national highways and in a bid to pacify or more specifically to deceive them announced that the government to compensate them at market rate. Let us first understand how government arrives at a price to be paid to land losers in ordinary circumstances. The collector of the particular district collects sale statistics from the mamladar and sub registrar of the properties to be acquired. Based on the lowest sale deed he works out the modalities and finally comes with a rate that is condemnable. Ultimately what the land losers receives is a pittance. Ironically the collector has absolutely no knowledge of land valuation and worst still is the fact that qualified government land valuers are never consulted on this issue. And in the committee that is being formed to determine the market value of land to be acquired Collectors of both the districts Goa are named as members. What justice can the Goans get from these two officials when it is well know that they are the puppets in hands of politicians? To my mind they will adopt the same system that is currently being used by them or in hindsight decide on individual basis for personal benefits or at the behest of the politicians.
Be that as it may, what will be criteria adopted to fix the market value of the land that is being acquired. For example on a stretch of land of one kilometre adjoining the highway – say part of it is developed with grocery stores, pharmacy, hospital, ATMs meaning local business activity while the other stretch is still yet to be developed, how will the committee decide the market value of this stretch of land. Is it going to value the stretch with business activity higher than the other? The owner of the undeveloped stretch of land in his wisdom must have kept it undeveloped with the thought that in near future when land gets scarce he might get much higher price. Then how will the committee compensate the developed stretch of land, will it assess each and every business enterprise at the present market value per se or will it assess their profits for the next ten years and then fix the market value? The government has to address these issues first.
Then comes the question of period of time that the government is going to take to pay the compensation for land along the National Highways along the length and breadth of Goa. If there is a delay in prompt payment will the government pay the interest. Given our state finances which are not very healthy. I am saying this because just last week policemen had a tough time getting their salaries. The bank simply refused to accept salary cheques to credit their salaries. Police personnel were forced to get endorsement from the state government’s accounts department only then salaries were released.
Then there are plenty of cases where the government is yet to release funds for land that is already acquired. Worse still is the fact that victims of natural calamities in the state and victims of last year’s Canacona floods are yet to receive compensation from the government. There are hundreds of mediclaim applications pending before the government. Payments of these are kept in abeyance because the government does not have adequate funds to meets these demands. Less spoken about the pension scheme the better it is. So the question how will Digambar Kamat government generate the type of money to pay land losers at market value. The price of paying market value for land in Goa will be so high that it will override the cost of widening the national highways passing through Goa. Can Goa government sustain such a huge financial burden especially when it is yet to implement the sixth pay scales in all the government departments?
In conclusion does the chief minister Digambar Kamat’s announcement has the backing of the cabinet? Has it been agreed in the cabinet or is it that the chief minister is talking in the air.
For a moment let’s grant him that he has the cabinet sanction for the decision to pay market value to land users. Firstly will he be able to clear all the cases before completion of his term. He might issue awards to all the land losers but will the next government if not headed Digambar Kamat honour it? Chief Ministers should realise that state finances are not their personal kitty to dole out money as and how they want. Lok Ayukta might not have not come to force, but there are enough agencies to stop the chief minister from using exchequers’ money in a foolish manner. Lastly Mr. Chief Minister none of the Goans are convinced with your statement as we are not living in a fool’s paradise.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com
Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT on Thursday. This article was published in GT today)
G.O.A. KUWAIT X'MAS GET-TOGETHER.
As announced in this forum earlier, Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.) organised their get-together in Kuwait City at one of the popular venues.
Picture above top, seen the President of G.O.A. Raymond D'Sa gving one of the prizes to a young girl while one of the stalwarts of G.O.A. Julio Cardoso seen compeering the event.
In other 2 pictures are seen children's games in progres.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
ETERNITY HOLIDAYS - New Airlines Office Opened in Kuwait City.
Recently in Kuwait City on 05th of this month new Airlines Office was opened, at Salhiya Tower,
Next to Raja Stores, Basement. It is known as ETERNITY HOLIDAYS.
In above first photo, you can see the people attending the inaugural function and in the second photo you can see all the details.
The managent asures to all its customers best of attention and services.
I wish them al the best.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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