The Liberation Day programmes held across the State saw Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar make yet another New Year resolution on plastic after repeatedly failing over his past deadlines, even as other politicos in the ruling dispensation raised the pitch against those opposing their development mantra while also giving a soothing touch of Goem and Goemkarponn.
To begin with, Chief minister Manohar Parrikar set a fresh deadline of May 30 to ban plastics and appealed to the people to take a pledge to make Goa garbage-free by December 2018. A garbage ban is welcome news, but several announcements earlier of plastic ban have just vanished in thin air. In May this year, Parrikar had announced a plastic ban effective from July with fines for those found buying or selling plastic bags in Goa. He had also announced stringent measures to rid the State of plastic bags. As part of the Swachh Bharat initiative, the chief minister also announced in October that use of plastic will be banned in all the government offices. Let's hope once again that the government enforces its new year resolution.
The Liberation day programmes also saw PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar in a ‘positive' frame of mind. He virtually appealed to the people to come out with positive criticism in a reference to opposition to proposed Sewerage Treatment Plant at Bandora. Sudin is elected by the people and is answerable to the electorate no matter what the issue is. The minister once again launched a scathing attack on Portugal and went on to explain how there is anger in the minds of Goan for the destruction they caused to Goa. The ‘positive-minded' minister has to be realistic to the current scenario where almost one lakh Goans have already attained Portuguese citizenship and several are still anxiously queuing up before the doors could shut post Brexit.
Vijai echoed similar views stating that the government is ready to listen to people with positive suggestions. While singing the Goemkar tune, the TCP minister batted for development but subtly hit out at those opposing projects. "Let people say they need a certain policy and vision, but they cannot say they don't want anything," said Vijai. The TCP minister must be reminded of the fact that he was the most vocal in opposing policies of the government - from river nationalization to casinos.
Politicians are elected representatives of the people and the electorate has a right to debate issues whether the men in power like it or not. You cannot expect positive suggestions all the time and it's for those in power to come out with satisfactory solutions to people's concerns.
Minister for Panchayats Mauvin Godinho while assuring to minimize coal pollution, took a dig at those opposing coal. Mauvin must understand the fact that there are not just a handful of activists who have been opposing coal expansion. Over 50 panchayats from length and breadth of the State have echoed their strong opposition to coal pollution and have refused to buy the theory that connects the coal expansion and electricity in State.
It would have been prudent enough on Liberation day if politicos were more sensitive to the voices of the people and took the issues in their stride rather than trying to silence the voices of dissent while playing the development card.
To begin with, Chief minister Manohar Parrikar set a fresh deadline of May 30 to ban plastics and appealed to the people to take a pledge to make Goa garbage-free by December 2018. A garbage ban is welcome news, but several announcements earlier of plastic ban have just vanished in thin air. In May this year, Parrikar had announced a plastic ban effective from July with fines for those found buying or selling plastic bags in Goa. He had also announced stringent measures to rid the State of plastic bags. As part of the Swachh Bharat initiative, the chief minister also announced in October that use of plastic will be banned in all the government offices. Let's hope once again that the government enforces its new year resolution.
The Liberation day programmes also saw PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar in a ‘positive' frame of mind. He virtually appealed to the people to come out with positive criticism in a reference to opposition to proposed Sewerage Treatment Plant at Bandora. Sudin is elected by the people and is answerable to the electorate no matter what the issue is. The minister once again launched a scathing attack on Portugal and went on to explain how there is anger in the minds of Goan for the destruction they caused to Goa. The ‘positive-minded' minister has to be realistic to the current scenario where almost one lakh Goans have already attained Portuguese citizenship and several are still anxiously queuing up before the doors could shut post Brexit.
Vijai echoed similar views stating that the government is ready to listen to people with positive suggestions. While singing the Goemkar tune, the TCP minister batted for development but subtly hit out at those opposing projects. "Let people say they need a certain policy and vision, but they cannot say they don't want anything," said Vijai. The TCP minister must be reminded of the fact that he was the most vocal in opposing policies of the government - from river nationalization to casinos.
Politicians are elected representatives of the people and the electorate has a right to debate issues whether the men in power like it or not. You cannot expect positive suggestions all the time and it's for those in power to come out with satisfactory solutions to people's concerns.
Minister for Panchayats Mauvin Godinho while assuring to minimize coal pollution, took a dig at those opposing coal. Mauvin must understand the fact that there are not just a handful of activists who have been opposing coal expansion. Over 50 panchayats from length and breadth of the State have echoed their strong opposition to coal pollution and have refused to buy the theory that connects the coal expansion and electricity in State.
It would have been prudent enough on Liberation day if politicos were more sensitive to the voices of the people and took the issues in their stride rather than trying to silence the voices of dissent while playing the development card.
