By Aires Rodrigues
The Manohar Parrikar Government has been in office for a month. Cheaper petrol has come as a succor to the Aam Aadmi. Much of the budgetary proposals are to be doled out by way of allowances to the elderly, women and unemployed. Let us hope the money for these schemes will not be raised by further taxing the Aam Aadami. That will be an exercise in futility. The motive behind abolishing house tax in Panchayat areas is not known as there was no demand to this effect from any quarter.
The three month honey moon period will soon end. On completion of six months the people of Goa will be able to judge the performance of this government. During the election campaign and over the last month much has been promised. The people of Goa will want every promise fulfilled and will accept no excuses. Political compulsions should be no reason to violate the law and allow corruption to perpetuate. And with a crystal clear mandate, the BJP will not be able to dodge the issues plaguing Goa.
While in the Opposition the Chief Minister had aggressively campaigned for the removal of casinos. His backtracking on the issue is a matter of great concern. He should not succumb to the powerful casino lobby and should make sure he delivers what he promised. Whether delivering laptops and electronic tablets to school children is a wise and feasible decision only time will tell.
Mr. Manohar Parrikar had promised that Goa would be garbage free within three months. He has another two months to fulfill this promise. Infact tackling the garbage crisis should have been the priority of the new government rather than toppling the chairpersons of the Municipal councils. Fortunately the Panchayat term is coming to an end otherwise the toppling games would have extended to the Panchayats too.
A war against illegal mining has to be waged as promised. The interests of his newly elected MLA’s in illegal mining should not hinder Mr. Manohar Parrikar from taking tough action. The government would also have to expedite the removal of what remains of the River Princess at Candolim before the ensuing monsoons. The promise of new bridges, better roads and an end to parking woes in the cities have to be fulfilled. The rampant menace of stray dogs will also need this government’s prompt attention. The people of Goa have a lot of expectations from this government which has also promised an effective Lokayukta within 100 days of coming to power.
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 vociferous defender the illegal mining, builder and Casino lobby in the past, it may now be untenable for the new Advocate General Mr. Atmaram Nadkarni to do justice in legally assisting a government which has vowed to work against the very same lobbies.
A clean, transparent and corruption free administration should be the hallmark of this 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 permit no illegality and govern strictly by the rule book. He should not hesitate to crack the whip on anyone involved in any irregularity including his own MLA’s and party functionaries.
We were also assured that government corporations would be headed only by professionals with expertise. The Chief Minister has already deviated on this promise. The government should also seriously consider winding up unnecessary corporations some of which were created only to accommodate former politicians with a position and perks at public expense.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and his Ministers should ensure that there are no brokers or agents hovering around them. Centers of power should not be used to manage and lobby for illegalities. 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 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.
A very weak and spineless opposition in the Legislative Assembly should be no solace to the Manohar Parrikar government. A duty is cast on every citizen to expose and fight against any and every illegality that this government may try to commit.
Mr. Manohar Parrikar, let us get on with the job to save what remains of Goa. No further time can be wasted on celebrations and felicitations. A badly battered and bruised Goa has been grieving and in a state of mourning for too long.
It would be very unfortunate if under the new BJP regime, only the mode and the beneficiaries of Corruption and Nepotism change while the much touted Zero tolerance to corruption remains just a promise.
(the writer can be contacted on 9822684372 or airesrodrigues@yahoo.com)
