*Ref : Goanet Digest, Vol 5, Issue 72**Goanet Digest, Vol 5, Issue 728*
Reading Aires Rodrigues and Roger Dsouza submissions with respect to the Commissioner NRI, it would appear that these two persons are merely content in seeing the Commissioner out of office on the grounds that he and his office are a waste of tax payers money while suggesting to the public at large that the destruction of Goa can somehow be laid at the door of the Commissioner NRI Eduardo Faleiros and his office. That in a nut shell is what the grouse is about even if Aires and Roger would like to quibble over it. Their case lacked substance and made the usual broad and vague allegations almost implying that these two persons have some personal grievances to settle. Yes, the issues raised have rankled Goa from the time the constitution for Goa was written. That is when it all started I do believe. Nit picking after the horse bolted is unfortunate. We all are aware of the callous waste of public money and environmental destruction. The seeds of Goa’s destruction were virtually built into the constitution of Goa when it was written. Goa was sold down the river then and there. Where were the likes of Aires Rodrigues and Roger Dsouza then. These two parsimonious individuals appear to be aggrieved persons and nothing more than that. We are witnessing the demise of Goa before our very eyes which started the moment the ink dried on the paper of the constitution. Goa was offered autonomy and we had the Kashmir, Hirmachal Pradesh and Nagaland constitutions if we needed models to draw upon. Goa could have protected its borders and concentrated on good governance. We missed the opportunity. Goa and goans we know are not an endangered species any more. We are just irrelevant. I think Mr Faleiro is in an unenviable position whether he responds or not to our the vitriol. I met Mr Faleiro last Oct in the outback's of Salcete. It was over a matter which I was not sure concerned his office or not. Of the Indian officials I have met in Goa or abroad I found Mr Faleiro personable with flair and class which makes him admirably suitable for high office. Even better then that he was helpful to a complete stranger, me seeking his advice. Our meeting was short and brief. There was no tea at tax payer’s expense or did I cross his palm with silver. It was only the first time I have ever been out of Bardez into the sticks of Salcete. Surely, Mr Faleiro's expenses are a matter for his controllers. They are not meaningful to the public in themselves except to incite public discontent in suggesting the Commission is a waste. In Kenya we have a Ministry of Anti Corruption to end corruption, but which is said to house some of the most corrupt. Please, can we have one of those instead. Of course we all want to stamp out corruption and have good governance but we the public do not help matters by actively promoting it and hypocritically suggesting otherwise. We who corrupt officials should be punished as well. Of course nothing that we can accuse Aries and Roger of. That same afternoon after seeing the Commissioner I had work nearer home in Calangute. The Panchart secretary and his clerk in contrast were totally unhelpful. I was there at 1300 Hrs. I was in a hurry and all I wanted was my mother’s death certificate which required 23 characters entered 3 dates and an address. I counted. The clerk, who works a corruption racket with the secretary I was told, wanted me to come back the next day. I live a long way from Calangute. A brown envelope with Rs would do the trick I was advised by people milling around in the Panchart. Mercifully, the Sarpanch came to my rescue and ordered the Secretary to prepare the death certificate. I got it the same day at 1800Hrs. No doubt many with personal grievances including the secretary and clerk would like to see the Sarpanch out of office. I hope the Sarpanch does see this post acknowledging his help and my appreciation. These are some of the day to day problems in Goa that have to be addressed starting inside Aries and Rogers back yards. It is easier for me to get a meeting with a Goa Minister or the Commissioner NRI then with a minor official like the Attorney of the Communidade. It would do good for Aries and Roger to reflect on the day to day frustrations of the public and the culture of corruption that has become a way of life in Goa. One wonders if Aires and Roger have their own acolytes to fill these positions even more corrupt and even more wasteful of public time and money. It may be helpful to know the NRI’s remittance to the Indian economy to set against Mr Faleiros travel expenses and the cost of the NRI Commission. But the NRI Commission is a not merely, er, about bean counting I should imagine and it is churlish to suggest that it is so. It is a great credit to India that we can air our grievances as our democratic right . But democracy does not end corruption. I personally have great admiration for India’s foreign policy from its earliest days and that includes its attention to PIO's and NRI's. Unfortunately, the overburden of Indian almost deliberate bureaucracy at home provides a rooting system for corruption. It is pervasive to the point that it has become a way of life. It should be resisted and exposed responsibly. The public has a part to play in stemming corruption not just by simply exercising their vote to bring down governments for another troop of corrupt politicians but also by taking issue with it in their daily lives. If the woeful drums of Aires and Roger is music to some ears, then play on. rui.nuvo
