As the public has been invited to make comments and suggestions regarding the Regional Plan and, as I'm also a tiny, very tiny part of this nebulous mass of Goan meat, here is my opinion on the topic.
Some will agree, and some will not as is the nature of a democracy, but then there is always a possibility of a consensus if we do not bury principles of justice, fair play and protection for all. Who wants the curses of evil men and women to haunt our children, grand children, and future generations of Goans? Let's start with a scientific frame of mind by admitting a simple fact; no one is a saint. And, as you know, it gets worse as you have to be dead to become a saint. At this piece of news, I'm sure the majority of sensible and sane Goans will inhale and exhale a deep breath of relief. And, since no one is a saint we urgently need legal protection for all Goans, every group should be protected against undue pressure from the other side. And, of course, above all else, we need to protect ourselves against ourselves. Now, this is a scientific principle which has to be enshrined irrespective of caste, creed or anything else. With this attitude, the world will envy us. Goa and Goans will become famous world-wide for possessing intrinsic Indian spiritual values, and not our contemporary image of Goa which is a paradise for drug peddlers, prostitution, casinos and unmentionables sold to the highest bidder. The government has a lot of power and more often than not exceeds its mandate. The people have a duty to make sure this government or any other does not go against its mandate and our Indian constitution. As we know, any government has only a 4-year-old life and validity before we have to go to the polls again. And, sometimes even less. We therefore need to make sure no government mutilates the constitution and destroys the rights of the people which are enshrined in the constitution. Otherwise, it is a gross misuse of power. We need to guard against this great danger and protect our democracy, and Goa, Goans and Goemkarponn. The Panchayat and gram sabhas have not received their rightful share of power. Tell me, which political party is ready to uphold the constitution, and decentralization of power? The BJP, Congress Party, the Goa Forward Party? All three on this issue are more silent than a graveyard. Et tu, Aam Admi Party? Not a single seat won, and not a single word said on the subject of the implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendment to the constitution. What does all this mean? It is now fire-testing time for our elected individual MLAs to speak for the implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendment to the constitution. Know your elected MLA! Discover for yourself if he or she is for you or against you - Goemkars and Goemkarponn! Unfortunately, at the bottom of the political ladder and the least protected are members of the gram sabhas, even though the constitution has stipulated the right of the villagers to decide the shape and development of their villages. With 185 panchayats the gram sabhas vary in size from large numbers to small: some, especially the small gram sabhas are open to undue pressure from vested interests because of their small numbers and need to be protected; otherwise, they and their village will soon disappear. Alas, the only adequate protection is the implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendments. Nothing less will do.