IT’S NOW TIME TO FULLFILL THE PROMISES MADE
By Aires Rodrigues
The people of Goa have spoken out loudly, clearly and adroitly. They have dethroned in style and fury a government which was utterly dysfunctional and embroiled in rampant corruption. Mr. Manohar Parrikar and the BJP have over the last few weeks have promised a lot and the people of Goa will want every part of that promise fulfilled and will accept no excuses. Political and alliance compulsions should be no excuse to violate the law and allow corruption to perpetuate. With a crystal clear mandate of 21, the BJP will have no excuses.
Appointing an honest, competent and knowledgeable Advocate General is the first decision the new government will have to take. It may not have been his election promise but Mr. Manohar Parrikar should definitely consider slashing the exorbitant fees currently being paid to the Advocate General and bring it on par with other states.
A clean, transparent and corrupt free administration should see the hallmark of the new government. There should be no political interference or manipulation of the bureaucracy. As mandated by the Supreme Court of India the police should be given the freedom to function independently. Mr. Manohar Parrikar should allow no illegality and govern by the rule book. He would be wise to crack the whip first on some of his party MLA’s who are involved in blatant irregularities.
Mr. Manohar Parrikar has promised that Goa would be freed from even a shred of garbage within three months. This has to be one of the priorities of the new government. A war against illegal mining has to be waged as promised. Just because some of his new elected MLA’s have direct or indirect interests in illegal mining it should not hinder Mr. Manohar Parrikar from acting tough. The government would also have to expedite the removal of what remains of the River Princess at Candolim before the ensuing monsoons. The promises of new bridges, better roads and an end to parking woes in the cities have to be fulfilled
We were also assured that government corporations would be headed by only professionals with expertise instead of rehabilitating politicians who have lost the elections or political aspirants who were declined party tickets. Infact the government should seriously considered winding up unnecessary corporations some of which were created only to accommodate politicians with a position and perks at public expense. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Parrikar lives up to one of his promises to lower the petrol prices by Rs 11.50. While in the opposition Mr. Parrikar had been harping on the removal of the off shore casinos. It needs to be seen how he gambles with this issue now.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and his Ministers should ensure that there are no brokers or agents hovering around them. Centres of power should not be used to manage and lobby for illegalities.
The people of Goa have a lot of expectations from this government which has also promised an effective Lokayukta within 100 days. If Manohar Parrikar can live upto his promises and assurances by providing a corruption free and a secular government he may be a hero. Otherwise he may turn out to be yet another villain on Goa’s political landscape and find himself at the receiving end of public fury.
Let us hope Mr. Manohar Parrikar will act as a true statesman and rise over petty party politics and secure the interest of every Goan. He had sought a mandate which the Goans have given him thereby entrusting him with the State. He should govern with a wide vision and definitely ensure that he doesn’t commit the mistakes of the past while ensuring that caste and communal politics never raises its ugly head again.
That it will have a very weak opposition in the Legislative Assembly should come as no solace to the Manohar Parrikar government. Alert citizens armed with the Right to Information Act and other laws will expose and fight against any and every illegality that this government may dare to commit.
Mr. Manohar Parrikar, let us get on with the job to save what remains of Goa. No time can be wasted on celebrations. A badly battered and bruised Goa has been grieving and in a state of mourning for too long.
