As appeared in Niz Goenkar. *YURI ALEMAO – I CHALLENGE YOU TO STOP WATER SUPPLY TO SOUTH GOA* by Nisser Dias
http://nizgoenkar.net/newsDetails.php?id=2931 Last week in an interview to a news daily Yuri Alemao boasted that if elected his priority would be to stop water supply to entire south Goa to highlight the importance of Sanguem to the people of Goa. If it was uttered by any other new entrant in politics, I would have let it pass or assumed it was naïve comment. But when it comes from Alemao family, I take it with a pinch of salt. The reason being, they all claim to be born politicians. That politics runs in their blood. Without carrying out any social work in the society, they become dynamic social workers. Then it is said that their hearts yearns for the poor and they strive to alleviate the hardships of the down trodden. Firstly to help the poor, this clan should have their hard earned money instead of ill-gotten wealth that is being distributed. Furthermore distributing money, rice, sugar, gas cylinders and other freebies during Christmas, Diwali in the election year does not end the woes of the poor. However what bothers my mind is how come Yuri’s father Joaquim Alemao who has been exploiting mines in Sanguem for decades, did not see that this constituency was backward. Only now when the demand and price for low grade iron ore has sharply escalated did he realize that Sanguem was backward. Indeed the Urban Development minister was making pots and pots of money through mining (including alleged illegal) all these years that the mining dust clouded his vision to see that Sanguem constituents did not have water supply in their houses. Or is it that Yuri has opened his father’s eyes to the many low grade mine dumps still existing in the taluka that they could trade in? Yuri Alemao’s statement that he would stop water supply to south Goa if he comes to power is utter rubbish. Ironically it is not that the constituents of Sanguem are suffering from lack of water. It is agreed that they do have piped water to their houses. But what is choking the life out of the people of Sanguem and surrounding areas is mining pollution. Is it in the interest of Yuri Alemao and his father to put an end to mining? Partly their bread and butter lies in mining while the other part lies in politics which they have made their business. If not why is Yuri Alemao who is said to be a pilot not pursuing his career at this prime age instead of dabbling in politics? Then we have PWD minister Churchill Alemao (Yuri’s uncle) who has been in the chair for most of his tenure. Water resources also comes under his ambit. He always beats his breast proclaiming his love for Goans. What has he done to augment water supply to the people of Sanguem. Could Yuri tell us? Or could Yuri tell us if he has ever taken up this subject with his uncle. Has he questioned Churchill Alemao how much attention he paid to Sanguem during his terms as South Goa Member of Parliament. I am sure he has not as this young crown prince of Joaquim Alemao started visiting the constituents of Sanguem during the last one year only with assembly election specially the iron ore heaps in mind. Let me educate ignorant Yuri Alemao. Sanguem is blessed with ample of natural water resources which flow throughout the year. However with irresponsible mining that is excavation of earth for iron ore reserves beyond permissible limits groundwater has got diverted in the mining pits and that is the reason constituents of Sanguem are suffering from shortage of water. Hence Joaquim Alemao is equally responsible for the suffering of the people of Sanguem. Instead of making such absurd comments such as stopping of water supply to south Goa, Yuri Alemao would do better if he diverts his energies in trying to improve the education system in Sanguem. Students are studying in cowsheds in this constituency, different divisions are being taught in one classroom by a single teacher. In some cases students have to walk almost five kilometres to reach school, others wake up as early as 5.00am to travel over hills to attend classes. Majority of population in Sanguem is dependent on agriculture but due to rampant and irresponsible mining the sludge has polluted fields and water bodies thereby dealing a body blow to agriculture and livelihood of the people. Forest cover too has also dwindled due to mining. Farmers here were used hills to grow peppers, beetle nut, areca nuts and other vegetation; this too has also been badly affected. Then there is a sizeable population of ‘dangar’ community whose sole livelihood is raising cattle. With flattening of hills they have also been affected. Has Yuri thought of ways to stop speeding mining trucks which kill people on regular basis? I am sure he has not because it will affect his father’s business. Has he thought of mining pollution which is causing all sorts of lung ailments to the people of Sanguem? If so what is his solution to curb it. Is Yuri Alemao happy with health sector in the constituency? Has he applied his mind to improvising or upgrading it? Has he thought of the electricity supply. There are large number of households in the constituency which 50 years after Goa’s Liberation do not have power supply. Chief minister Digambar Kamat during his tenure as Power minister in the BJP led government is on record saying that by 2007 each and every household in Goa would be electrified. This promise is yet to be fulfilled. All of us are aware that Sanguem has remained under developed even though it has showered riches of handful of individuals, one of them being Joaquim Alemao himself. Just because Yuri’s father and uncle did not pay attention to the cries of people of Sanguem and surrounding areas does not mean he can stop water supply to entire south Goa. But then blackmailing and threatening is the trademark of the Alemao family. After all said and written I know Yuri Alemao is talking through his hat, even then I challenge him if by chance he gets elected to stop the water supply to south Goa. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
