Rane: BJP government came to power spreading the lies that the Congress was corrupt. I was the Speaker then and I was watching the situation. Today, you ask the people whether there is corruption. People may not express it but when one comes across the administration, things don’t move. Lots of goodies are announced and yet, we find people talking, out of frustration perhaps.
Q: BJP government considers its social security schemes to be among its achievements. Does the Congress consider the popularity of these schemes to be an electoral threat?
Rane: The present government has succeeded in giving doles. Doles can be handed out by any government. It is public funds, you can distribute it to the people. But then what are we aiming at?
This money, under the Congress government, was dedicated to development. Roads, public facilities and other amenities were developed. Doles are for the needy. We too had schemes, but for those who needed the financial assistance.
The present government is giving out doles with one hand and is taking it away from the other in the form of hike in electricity and water tariffs. At least the supply of these amenities should have been regularised and improved.
Q: What is your take on the BJP-led government’s policy for the mining sector?
Rane: Mining is struggling to take off. A lot of iron ore is stacked. The auctions are very poor and new ore cannot be mined unless the stacks are cleared. When will this happen. We are practically at the fag end of the term.
The blanket ban on mining began with the BJP and then they blamed the former Congress Environment Minister. They could have instead resorted to punishing those who violated the norms.
It was very easy for the government to stop mining. To break something which was built up over years, right from Portuguese times, is easy. But what is the future? The common man is in debts. When mining activities were bustling, there was turnover for the common people.
The government should have attacked the mischievous people, but the ban has resulted mainly in misery for the smaller people. BJP’s devil-may-care attitude for being in power at the Centre and in State is not good. The government should not take retrograde steps to protect vested interests.
Q: Is the ban on mining activities solely responsible for the deterioration of Goa’s economy?
Rane: What is the alternative we have been given? There was tourism. But the global slump has affected Goan shores too. High-spending tourists have gone down. Fortunately for many youngsters, they have begun to move out of the country for employment. But that is not a good trend for the State.
If we could create jobs here within our industry, we could retain the potential of our younger generation. We have a number of industrial estates, one in practically each taluka and at least one Industrial Training Institute in each taluka too. This is not the case in bigger states.
Q: Has the government fallen short on the job-creation front?
Rane: There are highly qualified youngsters applying for small posts of LDCs. What is the government doing? The government had promised creation of 50,000 jobs. When I questioned the government in the Assembly over this, they offered vague figures. The expansion of industries was not reflected in this. No large industries have entered Goa over the last five years and in fact, large industries have closed down. Does it take four and half to five years to bring in new industries?
Education is a key factor and Congress government has created strong basic and higher educational infrastructure. Colleges have been established in all the talukas and rural areas.
Q: Recently, the present government has also laid stress on health insurance and other benefits.
Rane: Under the Congress government too there were several healthcare schemes for superspeciality treatments such as cardiac surgeries and bone marrow surgeries to an amount up to Rs seven lakh. This government had to man them. Besides, we find a lot of unqualified people being involved in practices claiming that it is medicine. This needs to be regulated. Regulation and control of the medical sector needs to be taken up by the government on urgent basis.
Q: Among the list of mega structures taken up by this government is the third bridge across River Mandovi…
Rane: Was the third Mandovi Bridge required? Zuari Bridge is an immediate concern. The previous Mandovi Bridge collapsed after 15 years. Zuari Bridge was completed in 1983 and has long surpassed its shelf life. I keep my fingers crossed each time I pass over it. It’s a much older bridge. Because of the third bridge across River Mandovi, traffic congestions have become the norm of the day.
Q: But the State government has succeeded in securing large funds from the BJP government at Centre. Your comments.
Rane: The value of the central government funds can be questioned as the cost of everything has gone up. Also, if the State government has really secured funds, then why are they not paying the contractors on time and why are contracts delayed? The roads are in a shabby condition, infrastructure isn’t being maintained.
Q: Lastly, what is your take on the Congress sitting MLAs, who are ‘in talks’ with the ruling alliance?
Rane: Those who are not loyal to each other and want to stay in power or be in power, they don’t understand how democracy functions. There should be a ruling and an opposition and two should respect each other. Jumping parties for power is an immature way of acting.
Besides, too many small parties have begun to mushroom all over. But, Congress is a steady party and one has to have patience. The people too are running out of patience. Having said that, we are not violent as a people. We are peaceful and educated people. I think we should maintain that essence and nurture growth of the State.
