Responses to my questions posed to Valmiki from another cyberGoan. Name withheld since this was a private email. George
****************************************************************************** 1. What is your current assessment of the Parrikar government? The best Goa has ever had. But of course we have to watch out for: a) All government contracts, adverts, favours etc. etc going to BJP supporters. Parrikar is buying support left, right and centre. His two pronged strategy, of rattling the skeletons in the opposition cupboards and perks to his people, is well planned. Carrot and the Whip! b) Tax payers' money is being freely used to create vote banks for next elections. The Cyber Age Scheme, Pension Scheme etc etc. are hastily planned. The need of the hour is to build up 'infrastructure'. Roads, bridges, communication networks and an atmosphere conducive to business, employment opportunities and progress - without the red tape. The current Government, is giving out trucks without building roads for those trucks. c) Glamour schemes like the SkyBus make for great soundbites but what Goa needs is a proper functional, efficient and inexpensive public road (or maybe water?) transport system. d) The reckless spending of public money, and doling of favours to supporters, means that every child born in Goa has a big debt on his head. But all in all, as public opinion goes, at least Parrikar is giving back public money to the public. Even if it mostly his men. The Congressmen, and all previous rulers, just built RCC castles for themselves, and fat bank accounts. ---------- 2. Some of us trust Floriano carte-blanche (and deservedly so). He has decided to be involved with IGO in some manner. Are there others who ought to be with the IGO to render it completely credible in your eyes? Get in some credible journalists. A Rajan centric publication is bound to have a credibility problem. A team of respected journalists and some 'professional' management is required. ----------- 3. What is the alternative? You have tried to point some of the sins and omissions of Rajan/IGO. But I did not see any constructive alternative suggested. I am far more interested in an effective press in Goa than the shortcomings (real or perceived) of IGO. Good question. Despite Parrikar's not-so-perfect Government, in the absence of any credible opposition the BJP is here to stay. And that means a muffled Press. The IGO might at most be a shrill but ineffective voice because of the personalities of it's chieftains. In the absence of any watchdog this will have to do. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/ ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
