I hereby pen my harrowing experience as a Goan this afternoon at Mapusa Government Complex. Upon entering the Mapusa Government Complex this afternoon, I was at first puzzled to find the entry gate half closed, then I was rudely shocked to find a line of cars double parked with cars labeled "On Govt Duty" trying to exit from the same entryway in the opposite direction and worse still, being told that the other gate was closed because "there is function, Minister is coming". Meanwhile two more cars had entered behind my car with no way out except for all cars including mine, to reverse their way out from the entry gate. For those who are familiar with this area, enough said! After reversing I drove by the exit gate and noted that there were at least 4 neatly dressed and cheerfully idle traffic policemen standing thereabouts, with the exit gate fully closed while a well decorated function area lay within to welcome the Guest. I enquired with the traffic police as to why there was no notice on the entry gate of Government complex to indicate to consumers that there is no exit thereby avoiding the traffic jam and ensuing chaos in that area. The traffic police told me that it is the job of the Mamlatdar or Deputy Collector to put up a notice.
So, while passing the parcel, and in certain circles, passing the buck maybe played very efficiently, I write this open letter to the department concerned and yes, even appeal to the minister who may have showed up in his "On Govt Duty" vehicle to grace Mapusa. I urge the Minister do demand from his PA that the concerned officials of Government Complex Mapusa do their jobs before rolling out the red carpet, first of all, by upholding Consumer Rights to Safety and Information, not to mention the Right to be Heard, under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
