Tuesday’s public meeting has sent a clear message, but how it evolves is key
Tuesday’s public meeting in Panaji convened by former chief justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice (Retd) Ferdino Rebello, had a message for everyone. Resounding citizen response showed the groundswell of anger. The ire may be more against the government and the ruling party, but to some extent it is also against Opposition politicians.
The Charter—‘Goenche Porjechi Magnni’—unveiled by Justice Rebello reflected the sentiments of those who attended the meeting. He had his finger on people’s pulse—people anguished by ‘massive development’ and corruption charges. Not that they are against ‘development’, but development must follow a plan. It cannot be haphazard or carried out by bypassing plans prepared by professionals. For example, the Regional Plan 2021 is not being followed in Goa. In the past few years Goa has seen sudden and haphazard transformation.
For a change, this was not a political meeting. Speakers, expectedly, highlighted the wrong policies in the state, and the gathering echoed with ‘enough is enough’. They also said that Goa has reached a stage where citizens and activists have to rise to protect it. They are moving courts, including green tribunals, to fight the onslaught of destructive elements flattening hills, undertaking landfilling of low-lying areas and waterbodies, destroying eco-sensitive areas and forests, and violating CRZ norms. There is also a sentiment that Goans are becoming a minority in their own land.
On ‘developmental projects’, the government has been reluctant to reveal its plans for discussions with locals. This leads to suspicion, which results in opposition to projects. The latest example is Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh. How many know the features of the two projects? How many are aware that government offices from Panaji are proposed to move to the Kadamba plateau, around 10 km from the present collectorate? Transparency is more on paper, in speeches and in slogans. The People’s Charter has made some very important points, such as the necessity to have carrying capacity surveys. When the world wants to come to Goa, shouldn’t our villages and towns know their carrying capacity? The government has not been able to provide a proper water supply to several parts of the state. Public transport is pathetic. Green lungs of semi-urban villages are disappearing at a pace. Sustainable development principles are not in circulation.
Politicians have been talking of safeguarding agricultural lands. However, the ground reality has not changed. The Charter has proposed amending the Land Revenue Code to prevent the sale of farmlands to non-agriculturists and non-residents. The nightclub inferno laid bare the underbelly in the tourism belt. The Charter has demanded enforcement of accountability for officers. In the present system, accountability is fixed only after tragedies strike the state.
Goans came out in large numbers during the Konkani agitation in the 1980s. In 2006, Azad Maidan overflowed with people under the banner of Goa Bachao Abhiyan against the controversial RP 2011. Following intense public protest, the Plan was scrapped by the government led by Pratapsing Rane in early 2007. The SEZ policy was scrapped by the then chief minister Digambar Kamat. At that time, activists and NGOs fought the Congress government tooth and nail. The BJP is feeling the pinch now, as it has been ruling Goa for the last 14 years.
In the present case, it is to be seen how the organisers take forward the promised “people’s movement”. Nothing will change unless the attendance is huge. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, reacting to the public meeting, has said that his government will act in accordance with public sentiment.
