I read with interest Defence Minister Parrikar’s strongly worded criticism of NGOs who “stall government projects by dragging them to courts or tribunals”. This exhibits a very a dismaying, undemocratic and fascist mindset that governments are omnipotent and above and beyond being questioned by the people. Goans apparently, are now being ordered to keep their brains and their opinions in cold storage and blindly and obediently concur with each and every dictate of the government – perhaps the BJP concept of democracy. What does Mr. Parrikar feel about consultation with people before the government rams projects down their throats? After all, aren’t the people stakeholders in the land and main affected parties in decisions taken by the government? And it is people who comprise NGOs. Governments are only caretakers for five years.
It is also surprising that Mr. Parrikar feels so strongly that NGOs should take up issues of his choice like the Mhadei diversion, which his BJP govenrnment presumably cannot handle. NGOs have the freedom to take up issues that they feel are important. If the state BJP government that Mr. Parrikar started in 2012 cannot handle the Mhadei and other issues, with the entire state machinery at its command, and requires NGOs who are chugging along on their own steam and efforts, then perhaps it may be time for this government to admit its incapability and resign. And instead of asking for investigations into the finances of these NGOs, ironically from a government that is building all these projects by submerging our state in an insurmountable mountain of financial debt, it might be more prudent to hand over governance to these NGOs instead. Diana Pinto