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Sign the Petition requesting The Honble Minister of State for Environment
    and Forests (I/C) to maintain the moratorium on issuing further
        environmental clearances for mining activities in Goa

             http://goanvoice.org.uk/miningpetition.php
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Goa drama

After so much media attention was given to the pompously-named G7, we are still left guessing about the genuine motives of these honourable politicians.

Who are the puppeteers behind their actions? Besides forming a new front attempting to grab power, what would it mean for the State of Goa?

Each revolt in the past has seen a new set of dramatis personae claim their own pound of flesh. This has been the story from 1990, and even earlier.

One particular politician changed sides repeated times, and converted a green village like Pilerne into a dusty industrial zone and squatter colony. Others linked to real estate speculation made documents vanish, and suddenly came to control of large tracts of land which were replaced by concrete.

Even politicians who didn’t defect — but simply supported the rising dispensation, whether BJP or Congress or whatever — were showered with the spoils of office, chairmanships and other questionable perks. Some saw their business flourish, and made the most of the situation.

This is not to suggest that the incumbent government is good or worthy of support. It is only a pointer to the fact that greed and ambition — supported by lobbies of all sorts — is not what it takes to offer good governance to the people.

Editorial in today's Herald / 1st April 2010

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