Goa cannot afford to be forever hospitable. Yet another State-sponsored fiesta concludes today by way of a three day Global Goans Convention hosted at a five star hotel. This edition of the now annual ritual is anticipated to have cost the taxpayers almost half a crore rupees if not more. That money could have been better spent in hot mixing Panaji's internal roads, which are in a critical and pathetic condition.
Freedom of speech was not the order of the day at the Convention. Anticipating that I would raise the issue of the Goa regional Plan 2011, Commissioner of NRI affairs Mr. Eduardo Faleiro directed the Director of NRI affairs Mr.Ulhas Kamat to summon the police and arrest me. A police posse headed by Sub divisional Police Officer Mr. Deu Banaulikar rushed to Cidade de Goa, the venue of the Convention and requested me to leave the venue though I was a registered delegate having paid Rs 1000. Mr. Eduardo Faleiros highhanded dictatorial behavior has shown clear signs of insanity setting on the Commissioner of NRI affairs. Any issue that affects Goa is a matter of concern to all including the Non Resident Goans and Mr. Faleiro could not have highjacked the agenda of a Convention being hosted at tax payers expense. Some action and not another extravagant convention is the need of the hour. There is no point draining the state exchequer by way of these farcical conventions with no clear agenda and only merry making at public cost. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com