It is time for Goans in Goa and the Diaspora, to unite and stop the wholesale
loot and plunder of Goa, including environmental degradation. I was surprised
to hear from Joe Goa UK that there were two demonstrations against SEZs on the
same day in Goa. Cant we get our act together ?
First it was the Regional Plan 2011. A massive turnout in opposition to that
ill-conceived plan, stopped it in its tracks. But our politicians are a wily
lot. They are always one step ahead. Then we had IT Parks in Donna Paula and
Socorro/Salvador do Mundo plateau.
I am told that some politicians have purchased massive tracts of land at
fire sale prices, in these locatons, from which they hope to make
disgustingly immense profits. When their plans were stymied because of
environmental concerns and a Supreme Court caveat against
degradation of forest cover, they found a new avatar in SEZs or Special
Economic Zones.
I was led to believe that a classic Special Economic Zone or SEZ is a nation
within a nation, where the laws of the State does not apply within its limits.
In a classic SEZ model,
this mini State is self contained, with its own power supply, its own garbage
disposal system and sewage system and water distribution system, so as not to
impact the surrounding neighboring locality. Seemingly once a location is
declared to be an SEZ, the law of the land and Supreme court rulings do not
apply. If this was the case, an SEZ would have to be massive in size to have
the required infrastructure within its boundaries. In Goa, our politicians
have mutated the cocept to come up with mini-SEZs which will certainly impact
the neighboring villages and populated areas.
Like motherhood and apple pie the prospect of jobs for Goans is touted as the
driving force in the creation of SEZs. And so it was with the existing
Industrial Estates all over Goa. How many Goans have gotten jobs in these
Industrial estates ? I am told that the percentage is miniscule. And so too
will be the case with the SEZs. We are being taken on a merry ride by our
Politicians. Instead of the "Aam Admi" benefitting, it is the "Bhada Admi"
getting filthy richer by the day..
Another nefarious plot is the leasing of cultivable lands and forests for
mining. The cultivable land or forest is ripped open to extract the ore
beneath, scarring this beautiful land ofGoa. This goes counter to the
stated National policy of improving our Agricultural output, and protecting our
forest cover in this age of global warming.. And where does the ore go ? To
China and other countries. Who benefits The rich mining cartel in Goa not the
"Aam Admi".
Will we ever wake up to the wholesale destrutction around us. When I saw We,
I mean you and I, as every single one of us is to blame for what is going on in
Goa. According to
George Pinto, Goans in the diaspora are willing to foot the bill or part of
the bill to fight this
battle. We need money, for advertising, posters, banners, bus charters to
bring people to
meetings etc. :et us marshal all the resources available to us and fight this
insiduous
rape and pillage of our beloved Goa.
Vivian
---------------------------------
Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.
