EDITORIAL
Take preventive health steps to safeguard MLAs handling trying public responsibilities
In the past seven years, Goa has lost four legislators. Five-time Mapusa MLA and then deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza died on February 14, 2019, at the age of 64. Then chief minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar succumbed to pancreatic cancer on March 17, 2019. He was 63. Former chief minister Ravi Naik died of a heart attack on October 15, 2025. Most recently, three-time Taleigao MLA and former minister Jennifer Monserrate breathed her last on Sunday after a prolonged illness. She was just 56. Noted social activist and then tourism minister Matanhy Saldanha died at the age of 63 in 2012. In 2008, Gurudas Gauns, the sitting MLA from Sankhali, died at the age of 41.
These are the MLAs who died in the post-statehood era. There are quite a few former MLAs who also died relatively young. Former deputy speaker Vishnu Wagh died on February 8, 2019, at the age of 53. Two-time MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu, 64, succumbed to pneumonia in April 2020.
In the present era of enhanced medical care, which has increased life expectancy, these cases bring to the forefront a harsh reality: the health toll of public service on our political representatives. During the church service at Monserrate’s funeral on Monday, Fr Henry Falcao made a very poignant point: “It is not easy to serve humanity. It is a challenging task to be a leader today. You need to give your time, give yourself, and sacrifice so much including time with your family. This is what it means to be a public servant.” The higher up the ladder of political success, the harder it is to prioritise health.
While the public rightfully demands accountability and hard work from their elected leaders, this recurring pattern of early deaths calls for a look beyond the ballot box. The lifestyle of the modern Goan politician is not easy. In a small though politically sensitive state like Goa, an MLA is rarely just a lawmaker. People approach MLAs, even ministers, for the smallest of matters. The MLA may not be busy with public work at all times; often, their work involves keeping their constituents happy so that their vote bank is not disturbed by political opponents. Time and energy are also devoted to countering a rival’s rising popularity. The lucky ones get ‘holidays’ abroad as part of ‘study tours’ at the cost of the public exchequer. Some, however, go on holidays at their own expense.
Some ministers, to get credit, micro-manage work in their departments and constituencies. They could decentralise the workload, but they do not like to give panchayats and ZPs more power. If that is done, then fewer people will visit their offices.
Assembly sessions are important for the public as they highlight misgovernance, corruption, lack of accountability and transparency. However, the behind-the-scenes work put in by the MLAs (and officers too) for Assembly sessions is massive. Every MLA goes prepared. Ruling MLAs also table questions and raise important issues during Zero Hour. In addition, they have to speak during discussions on demands for budgetary grants, the Governor’s Address, Bills, etc. An MLA’s work starts more than a month before the session begins. Even ruling MLAs cannot afford to defend the government all the time; they have to take up public issues. With the Assembly proceedings telecast live, they are under a scanner.
In short, the workload could be stressful, leading to underlying health issues. The Goa Legislators Forum, in coordination with the government, needs to look at the preventive aspect. For healthy governance, we need healthy elected representatives.
