It maybe a crisis for the public but it is likely to bring cheers for the Goan politicians. Another portfolio could be in the offing. The grave garbage situation may necessitate the creation of a Minister for Garbage Disposal. The challenge for Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane however will be on whom to dump this responsibility as all MLAs have shied away.
The government may also use the crisis to give birth to yet another Corporation the Goa Garbage disposal Corporation. It may help keep a disgruntled MLA content, with yet another Chairmanship to dish out. North Kerala's major city - Kozhikode- has been declared as the first litter free city of the country after a campaign, which started in June 2004. There is no reason why a small state like Goa cannot make it. It is pathetic that over the decades the politicians in power have lacked the initiative or had the foresight to plan a permanent solution to this simple garbage issue which is now a state-wide problem. Its an irony that garbage may have to be ferried around in vehicles under police protection like trucks carrying money. In fact garbage can generate wealth if properly segregated, treated and recycled. In spite of the anti-defection law our politicians have been gainfully hopping from pillar to post. They should not expect garbage to frog around. The people of Curca have had it for long. They should be commended for being very vocal and saying enough is enough. Years ago the people of Ribandar had to also put up with the nuisance when all the garbage was being dumped in their neighbourhood on Kadamba plateau. We had to make sure that this and the added nuisance of speeding 'fishy` stinking vehicles stopped when the authorities failed to act. One cannot trust the Government when it says its a temporary site. In the 70's some of Panjim's hutments were brought to Chimbel in neighbouring Ribandar. We were told that it was a very temporary rehabilitation. 30 years later and we have the place grown into Goa's Dharavi for all to see. Until a permanent solution by involving the experts in the field is found, all Goa's garbage could be temporarily dumped on the land acquired by the Government at Mopa. It is the ideal site till a concrete garbage solution takes off. The congestion at Dabolim could wait as the garbage issue takes a priority. When Pratapsingh Rane and his entourage of MLAs visited Singapore years ago, we had hoped that they kept an eye on the way garbage was treated there. That, like all other foreign trips our politicians have made, have been shopping cum holiday jaunts at the tax payers expense. They have not cared to bring back any ideas or plans to cure Goas ills. Garbage and the other serious issues of stray dogs and cattle need to be addressed in right earnest. The stray dogs are already out of control. Let us not wait till it necessitates having a Minister for Stray Animals too. Pratapsingh Rane should have no problems finding a suitable straying MLA for this task. Aires Rodrigues ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger - NEW crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com