Goans are struggling to keep track of the growing number of scams in the state, with new ones surfacing every few weeks. The Goa government, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, may defend itself or even resort to filing defamation cases, but the reality is that these scams continue to happen due to two main reasons.
Many ministers are either involved in or accused of scams. Government agencies responsible for vigilance and punishment are practically non-existent, reflecting a deeply corrupt and incompetent administration. Action against corrupt MLAs and officials usually comes only when activists take matters to court. However, this often results in justice being delayed indefinitely or, at best, taking an unreasonably long time.
Former Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik had called Goa one of the most corrupt states in India, and the facts support his claim. For instance, despite Goa’s small size, it accounts for 50% of all CRZ violations. Shockingly, the officials responsible for this dubious record continue to hold authority. The rising number of scams is a direct reflection of the “scam-driven” governance in Goa, and nothing else.
