If the law is an ass, then we might start by saving tax payer's hard earned
money in maintaining the Legislative Assembly. In fact if we all agree that
the law is an ass, then we could also take a vote on scrapping laws
altogether and learning to survive in an openly lawless society.
We cannot stay frozen in a mould forever. Things do change. Land does have
to be utilised for development purposes. But within the framework of the
letter and spirit of the law. People must have faith and trust in the
Government that the land will be put to good use and here I mean for the
public good and not serve the interests of a select few. In fact, the basis
of most of the controversial land deals has been the alleged breaking of
every law, procedure and precedent in the book. For example the manner in
which the GIDC has allocated land to the SEZ developers. They have also in
many cases connived with developers to acquire land with the sole intention
of clearing titles for the developer, which is definitely not the spirit of
the law. So while ostensibly land may play a significant role in the
people's anger and frustration, the deeper malaise is a total contempt on
the part of the decision makers for the letter and spirit of the law except
when it is used manipulatively.
And while on the subject of professionals and professionalism, there have
been many occasions when so called professionals have shown themselves to be
most adept at using technicalities to confuse issues and steer things in the
direction they desire, which may not necessarily be for the collective good.
In one campaign against an allegedly polluting metallurgical plant, a "well
respected" firm of consultants came out with an EIA on behalf of the
Company, which other "experts" publicly questioned and tore to shreds. The
consultants did not even make the slightest pretense at defending their
stand. Besides professionals are not infallible and we are living in a
democracy.
The author
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