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10 questions to Calangute MLA, Mr Agnelo Fernandes The Navhind Times July 3, 2002 By Joaquim Fernandes 1. Do you believe that Goa's development has been even? Not at all! For example, my constituency (Calangute) is the hub of tourism activity in Goa and earns very high revenue for the government, but we have not got the development in proportion to our contribution. Many of our roads are full of potholes and have not been touched in years. Regarding electricity, besides the perennial problems of erratic supply and low voltage, the wires are hanging at dangerously low heights. Also the wires are very old and keep snapping at many places. Likewise, the problem of water shortage is yet to be resolved. Similarly, I feel that constituencies like Pernem and Siolim have hardly seen any development. 2. What are your top priorities for the development of your constituency? Because Calangute constituency is an international tourist destination, all the above facilities are a must. So my priority is on developing the infrastructure; roads, water, electricity, drainage, sewarage. My stand on the River Princess is well known. This ecological danger has to be removed on top priority; or else there is no need for any of the other development works. I have filed a case in the High court asking it to give directions to the government to strengthen the ship so that it does not break up during the monsoons and cause an ecological disaster. Also to tow away the ship at the earliest. I have met the Tourism Minister, Mr Mickey Pacheco, who has assured me that he will never allow the ship to be cut up at Candolim beach. Earlier I had met the Chief Minister, Mr Parrikar, and on his request had forwarded to him proposals from two companies, Madgavkar Salvage and Titan Maritime Industries. Besides, a Singapore company had offered the government Rs 1 crore to take away the ship. But the matter is being passed to and fro between the Tourism Director and the Tourism Minister for the last one year. Sewarage is another important thing we need to look at. According to WHO standards, not a single well in the constituency now has potable water. The sewage has percolated into the ground acquifiers and polluted the wells. We need to have a proper sewarage network and a sewarage plant at least for the beach belt to cater to the hotels initially. Or else an epidemic-like situation may result. Regarding the other problem of garbage, a scientific garbage processing plant is planned on the Saligao plateau and the land acquisition process is underway. 3. Are you giving priority to fight corruption? How can corruption be fought? As an opposition MLA, my job is to fight corruption and high-handedness. But corruption is really a two-way process and can exist only if people encourage it. If people stick to the rules, there is no need to pay bribes. Even at the Panchayat level, all files are time bound. If the Panchayat does not co-operate, one can go to the Block Development Officer. People resort to paying bribes mainly if they are pursuing illegalities. Otherwise, people can seek help from redressal bodies like consumer forums etc. 4. Do you subscribe to the view that the MLA cannot develop his constituency without being a minister? No, I do not. You need not be a minister to develop your constituency. Issues can be raised in the House and assurances taken. But there is no doubt that more things can be done if you are in the ruling party. 5. What issues will you raise in the assembly? All the issues pertaining to of my constituency; the development of Calangute constituency. 6. Do you think that the last election saw a blatant use of money and muscle power? (What mechanism should be used to curb this practice?) The use of money and muscle power was very much evident. The police were also helping the ruling group. My opponent indulged in malpractices concerning voter identity cards. There was also distribution of money and an attempt to divide voters along communal lines. I lodged proper complaints with the authorities but in those days everyone was busy and no one looked into the matter. I am writing to the Election Commission of India to tell them all the malpractices that I have witnessed in my personal experience. The Election Commission is the proper body to curb these malpractices. 7. What factors led to your success and the defeat of your opponent? This is my third term as Sarpanch of Candolim and people have seen my good performance. Likewise, my popularity and friendship with the Sarpanches of other villages in my constituency contributed to my success. My opponent lost because of his track record of defections and non-development of the constituency. 8. Do you think that your party lost some seats because it nominated defectors? How do you think defections can be checked? Yes. I think we did lose some seats because we nominated defectors. As far as preventing defections, the rules are already in place. But these are not implemented. If you have a speaker that is favourably disposed to a particular party, he will not act on any motion of disqualification put before him if it is to the detriment of that party. But right now, I am being pressurised to defect to the BJP. I got an anonymous telephone call threatening that if I do not defect, then both Candolim and Calangute panchayats will be dissolved and will be replaced by a municipality. They are trying to foist charges against us saying that we have allowed illegal constructions. 9. What is your idea of secularism in Goa? Secularism is what we enjoyed in Goa during all these years; people of all faiths living in peace and harmony. 10. Do you think there should be a common minimum programme for the coalition government? Should there be a mechanism for smooth functioning of the coalition? I am not part of the government and I will not comment on it. Actually, there should not be a coalition government in the first place. Mr Parrikar forced elections on the people precisely because he wanted a clear mandate. Earlier his was a 2-party government, now there are 3 parties. And some of their individual policies are conflicting. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
