It would be relatively safe to classify Goa as one of the most corrupt if not the No 1 corrupt State of India. Goa might have inherited the "susegad" syndrome from the Portuguese, but from where the vice of corruption originates may be a matter warranting academic investigation.
Corruption has become embedded in our Society over the years and to add to it secular Goans now have to endure a bigger evil, the curse of saffronisation empowered by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar since he took over the reins of office. Corruption is an evil but the systematic saffronisation unleashed by the BJP in our otherwise secular State is the greatest evil which is eroding the secular fabric of Goa. Politicians have been known for the promises they make and vows they renege on. Parrikar has projected development by constituting so many corporations and announcing so many schemes which are unsustainable. He initiates schemes to ensure that the beneficiaries are only his cadres. Once his party men are accommodated the scheme goes into limbo. We have seen the fate of Dayanand Social Security Scheme which was announced before he suddenly dissolved the Goa Assembly last year. While he has been announcing so many schemes in recent days one wonders whether he is planning another visit to the Raj Bhavan. With the present incumbent, Governor Sahani a hard core RSS, Parrikar will get a faster consent. Not that the then Governor Mohammed Fazal hesitated to oblige by dissolving the Assembly and instantly putting a huge financial burden on the state exchequer by necessitating a fresh election, only to once again yield another fractured mandate. The three coalition ministers have committed political suicide by being led blindfolded into the saffron BJP. The only one of the lot who may survive the crash is Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar on account of his personal charisma and political maturity. But Chief Minister was able to lure Madkaikar who may realise the folly a bit too late. Parrikar has been haunting the opposition MLA's with cases of disproportionate assets. What about his own colleagues and other office bearers of his party? He should not pick and choose and try to project his Government as a clean one when we all know how corrupt and despicable his Government's functioning is. In the other regimes corruption was apparent but under Chief Minister though the corruption is very prevalent, it is behind the scenes and sophisticated. Today every department is controlled by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Honest officers feel suffocated and disgusted but have no other option except to follow the whims and fancies of the despot. He virtually controls every decision taken by the police department. The latest Taleigao parading of the accused half naked was something that was pre-meditated and not something that took place at the spur of the moment. This despicable act had the blessings from the top political bosses who compelled the low ranking police officers to act against their wishes. The officers are facing the music as the political bosses as usual relax and watch. Chief Minister Parrikar may be an IIT but as once described by a prominent senior politician even an ITI mechanic would deliver better. The time has come for the secular forces to forget their personal differences, ego's and ambitions to rally as one vocal force to oppose and defeat the communal and casteist BJP in the best interests of the future generation. Caste and creed should not determine the prospects of our children whose ancestors were born and brought up in a very secular society. The BJP has to be laid to eternal rest in Goa and at the Centre as Mr Vajpapee's mission is no different although he has tried to project himself as a secular person. The mask has fallen and his true colours stand vividly exposed. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
