The loot will continue, unless…
The administration in Goa is in a bad state and needs urgent overhauling. The longer we wait, the more cumbersome the task.
John Eric Gomes
The British and the French/Dutch who ruled India had their aristocracy and fidalgos in the ruling class. The subjects had to be subservient and there was open discrimination practiced. On gaining Independence, we became a democracy,
A democracy elects people to serve and not rule. The VIP syndrome with their usurped tremendous perks and privileges are an insult to us.
We need a classless society where everyone, rich or poor, is equal before the law. Whilst people are struggling to make ends meet, the elected representatives have become a class by themselves, perpetuating many other divisions in castes and creeds. Whilst throwing some crumbs the people’s way, they freely help themselves to the till. They do not believe that there is any conflict of interest when, in one of the few occasions they are all unanimous, in hiking their own salaries, perks, and pensions to comparatively incredulous levels, whilst the rest of us are struggling with inflation, scarcity and high prices. Government austerity measures are a farce.
Instead of being institutions that represent the people’s aspirations and demands, political parties have become election machines and patronage distributors that focus on garnering votes. There are different levels of power, central, regional and local. All the institutions meant to serve the people have been polluted. Air India was a Maharaj world class airline run by the Tata’s. The downslide started when the government took it over and it became- a government perks, mismanaged and financially drained airlines. Although loss making, public funds were always at their disposal. Today, after numerous strikes and scams and monumental losses, the government still wants to siphon public funds to run it. Air India has not only chosen to ignore the CVC’s recommendation for action against two commanders, but rewarded them by selecting them to fly the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, more of which have been ordered.
In this modern age of Google and Information Technology (IT), it is reported, that, some of our local MLAs are going on a foreign jaunt to know first hand what motor cross tourism is. During the Question Hour in the Goa Legislative Assembly in March 2011 we were told that 2,85,296 sqm of land on Dona Paula plateau was earmarked under the guise of IT habitat and that Rs. 22.74 crores was spent out of the money collected. Now, the cancellation of the plots allotted will cost the government over Rs. 80 crores. Similarly Rs. 36.87 crores was spent for another IT park on the Succor-Salvador do Mundo plateau. A Chief Minister can decide about a grandiose sea link from Dona Paula and pay consultants money for the same; waste funds on garbage disposal projects given to untested and inexperienced entities; purchase unstable road cleaning machines and yet get away. All this is being done with absolute impunity. Kickbacks have become the bad habits of today.
The Chief Minister informed the Legislative Assembly that 36 government departments are facing enquiries for misappropriation, with ten police cases registered. The Electricity Department tops the list with ten cases of misappropriation against them. The PWD comes next and this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Corruption in government departments and bad administrations has been afflicting us for a long time. Services are below standards. The states of our roads after every monsoon have been pathetic. A lot of money has been spent on their repair. What a waste. There is absolutely no accountability.
According to the 2010 census, there are 52,542 employees in the governments roster-about one for every 30 Goans.
This bloated and lax administration needs a lot of toning up in terms of discipline, efficiency, accountability and service to the citizen. We therefore cannot afford Indian Administrative Services (IAS ) and Indian Police Service(IPS) officers deputed here, who are on the verge of retirement. Goa should not be looked at as a holiday posting. Many a times they lack commitment to work and do not practice austerity.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has taken up this matter with the Centre. He has done the right thing. All department’s Citizens Charters must be updated and even extended with a Right to Services Act, like has been done in many other States. Today we are all being taken for a ride at our expense. We don’t know what to believe in, considering paid news and the spin doctors in the government, the media and corporate entities. We cannot trust a film review, food critic or depend on someone’s opinion because it may have been cunningly crafted at some vested interests behest.
