This was a letter I wrote Mr Manohar Parrikar in 2009:
Mr. Manohar Parrikar
Ex-Chief Minister of Goa
Goa.
Sir:
People have often commended on your leadership qualities while you were in
office. That is what prompts me to address this letter to you. Hope you will
not mind my doing so.
Talking about the current political situation in Goa, I would pick on good
governance as the topmost need of the hour. And the two main facets of
governance that will make it clean, and accountable are:
1) maintenance of Law and Order,
2) a disciplined Administration of public services.
Corruption, which is of equally great concern, would automatically decline in
the face of a determined observance of these two facets.
When Law and Order breaks down in the country, the Union Home Minister eases
out of blame, citing it as a problem of the concerned State government. But
here in Goa, as any person will testify it, law and order has either taken
leave of absence, or it has fallen into the very hands of those who break the
law. The recent rapes at Goan beaches and their handling by Police heavily
influenced by corrupt politicians, is a case in point.
Administration of public services is certainly in the domain of State
governance. But go to any public office in Goa, like the Mamlatdar’s mad-house
in Margao, for example. You present an application or a complaint. No action
comes forth even after one thousand reminders. Clear sign that a “stimulus
package” might end the deadlock. So, out of despair the package is delivered,
and finally the work gets done - not because of any semblance of governance in
those offices, but due to an overdose of illicit incitement to concerned
officers.
What people are demanding is the process of their applications/complaints in a
specified period of time, failing which those irresponsible bureaucrats be
brought to
book.
Sir, there are innumerable other causes for complaints against the government
machinery in this State, some of which are: constant water and power failures,
garbage stink at every corner, continuing influx of the so-called non-Goan
“vote-banks”, etc. But the two issues that will cause the Goan electorate to
vote any leader to power are those which I have just cited above. And since
your leadership qualities have already been exposed to public awareness in the
past, I can certainly look forward to your rightful place in the next assembly
elections in Goa.
Bennet Paes
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