CRZ - A Candy or a Yardstick ?
Over the last two years or so we have been hearing a lot about the Coastal Regulation Zone or the CRZ, this particular edifice has given nightmares to the coastal residents of Goa, the very mention of CRZ in whatever terms gets the coastal residents all spooky and uneasy. CRZ is become the "boogeyman" for the coastal residents. CRZ is also become the "MCF", the most common factor" in uniting the coastal residents of Goa. During the early civilization we have studied, how communities were formed by uniting to fight a common enemy for survival, which infact strengthened the community, physically and mentally. This CRZ threat has united a good part of Goans, whose dwellings have become targets for the "boogeyman", and it is this unity that has to be fostered and nurtured to include the rest of the Goans, who do not fall under the boogeyman's domain. It is the support of the people at large that can do the required change and force the Government to change it's stance. CRZ has also become the crux, for a mass movement that's gaining in momentum and strength, which has got the Goa Government in a quandary, yes, a large portion of the coastal electorate will be affected by the "boogeyman" effect, that means a good amount of vote power is at stake, the question that arises is, will our corrupt politicians hold on to the "boogeyman" and use it as a "candy" in exchange for votes, or use it as a yardstick to checkmate the coastal electorate ? Going against the will of the people will be suicidal but a source for blackmail will surely see a glitter in the eyes of our corrupt politicians. The CRZ issue, right from it very conceptional stage has been mishandled by our Government, it was the duty of the respective authorities to educate the masses, of it's functions, effects and aspects through the Panchayats, which was never done, to enhance their corrupt practices. Bribes were a mandatory practice whether structures were legal or otherwise, so how would the masses know that their dwellings were illegal or not ? A good number of people who could not afford to pay the bribes or did not want to, ended up with illegal extensions or quarters, now that the boogeyman is crying for blood what should the masses do ? If the Government wants, wants being the key word, it can do a lot, like the overnight ordinance that saved a five star hotel. So far, none of our politicians have come forward with any assurances, so it is indeed left to the people to fight and fend for themselves. Goans it is up to you to unite and fight, support each other and be strong in your demand, don't fall for the double forked tongues of our corrupt politicians, anything less than legalising of structures should not be acceptable. The whole of Goa, north, south and central have to unite and not let a single structure be demolished, because once they start demolishing it will be difficult to stop, for the policies of our Government, are either misguided or deliberately obtuse. Freddy Agnelo Fernandes -------------------------------------------------------- The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or otherwise placing reliance on the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful in certain legal jurisdictions. If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. -------------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________
