Image makeover

EDITORIAL

To correct Goa’s sullied name, strengthen anti-graft agencies, revamp licensing system

More than a week has passed since the nightclub inferno at Arpora snuffed out 25 innocent lives. Goa’s image has taken a severe beating, with not only the national media but also the international press highlighting how the nightclub was operating without proper permissions and lacked fire safety approval. Dissecting the causes, the national and local media have hit the ground running, exposing systemic failure.

Debates on news channels focused on the corrupt system within the state administration. A few anchors, who otherwise follow party lines, interestingly did not spare the Goa government. One common point in all the debates, discussions and interviews was clear: corruption at all levels. It was their contention that without corruption, such a nightclub could not have been in operation. They also spoke of a politician–panchayat–police–nightclub promoter nexus.

Incidentally, one of the days when channels were debating the Goa nightclub issue was International Anti-Corruption Day, which is aimed at highlighting how corruption affects development, health, education, justice and prosperity. This year’s theme was ‘Uniting with Youth against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity’. In Goa too, there is a need for youngsters to join hands to fight the cancer of corruption.

The BJP came to power on an anti-corruption plank. The power subsidy “scam” was highlighted for years by BJP leaders to expose corruption, in which the then power minister and present Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho was an accused. He has been acquitted in the case earlier this year.

In the run-up to the 2012 elections, Manohar Parrikar assured the people of “zero tolerance” to corruption. Due to intense public demand, he set up a Lokayukta, but in effect it became toothless; its powers were more recommendatory in nature. Recommendations for strict action in several cases of corruption were rejected by the government. For the last one year, Goa has not had a Lokayukta. The anti-corruption branch of the Goa police needs a revamp and a free hand. Why have “trap cases” stopped for the last five to six years? There are allegations of corruption, but the official machinery is behaving like the proverbial three monkeys—see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

The BJP leadership seems rattled by the charges of corruption and irregularities in the state. Two former BJP ministers, including an MLA, have openly said that tragedies like the Arpora one are linked to corruption. Now, the BJP wants an explanation from them as to why they spoke of corruption. While it is an internal party matter, the leadership has a responsibility to correct wrong.

Yesterday, this paper, while exposing the system, showed how one does not have to obtain a licence for a nightclub because no such licence exists in the state administration. Politically connected entrepreneurs can operate a nightclub with a restaurant-and-bar licence and perhaps a trade licence from the panchayat. Goa receives hundreds of people, especially on weekends, who go to nightclubs. There has to be a proper licensing system with proper customer safeguards for nightclubs.

The government has to come out with strong measures to improve Goa’s sullied image. Besides cracking down on the hafta culture, the government has to strengthen anti-corruption agencies. They have to be pro-active.   All officers must be instructed to take cognisance of corruption complaints, even if they are anonymous, and inquire into them. In the interest of transparency, the report of the magisterial inquiry into the nightclub inferno should be made public once the government receives it.