People migrate all over the world, this is an accepted fact and the same happens into Goa. However, what is different in Goa today is that because of its small size/population, the impact is even larger than it would be in most other states of India. Even internationally we can see that there are controls on migrants eg. Gulf Region, Western World etc simply because un-controlled migration in a short span upsets a lot of things, in the local area eg. Demographics, Identity, Language etc. Not to mention burden on the states resources to control crime and offer a decent level of living to its current residents. Even those who argue that western nations accept migrants must appreciate that these countries have controlled measures in place, to integrate migrants with their local identity including compulsory local language learning eg. English, German etc.
What is happening in Goa is vice versa, where because of un-controlled migration Goan Identity is integrating into multiple identities of migrants. It is not that we can't address this issue, it is just that our political establishment lacks will, is in-competent, bankrupt on ideas and focuses on un-important issues. The ex-Govt was a master at this and the current over hyped Govt is still falling seriously short of even minimum expectations to Save Goa. For instance the Current Govt talks on Promoting Agriculture, Special Status on one hand but in actual action is doing the very opposite eg. Massive encouragement to the Real estate lobby, land conversions of green areas, destruction of fields, un-wanted Mopa Airport etc I accept that migrants are required at a controlled level but not as the un-controlled influx happening today and I will highlight some key points: (1) Yes I agree that Migrants come in for Tasks; many that the highly egoistic Goan don't want to do in Goa, but many of these Goans will do when outside Goa. (2) However Migrants are also un-necessarily brought in to build mega-housing projects that are not in the interests of housing for Goans. Why? Will stopping these mega monstrocities not control the migrant inflow? (3) Also what about the other economically well off migrants who are more than happy to move into Goa's land and apartments, given our Governments favouritism to the builders lobby. It is for instance well known that huge stacks of Black Money from outside Goa is fuelling the un-wanted Real Estate growth and with it, bringing in migrant workers and migrant settlers. So are we not facilitating a high than required migrant influx? (4) The flop sided industrial/economic policy and lack of controls are creating more jobs for outsiders than what the locals want. Should it not take care of our own people first? (5) Finally the Goan politicians are themselves more than happy to create migrant vote-banks to keep their political interests. Hence they easily give out ration cards etc and today I hear it is more easier for a migrant to get legal documents in place, then Goans. Goans please do not except any pathetic excuses from our in-competent/corrupt Goan politicians to resolve the issue. It is not that they can't address the issue, its just that their personal/political and interests of their non-goan masters in other parts of India, will be put at risk. It is high time we force our Government to ACT instead of being complacent and giving lame excuses! Arwin Mesquita. </div>
