To Goanet - In the face of mounting opposition by Goans, the real estate & builder's lobby has launched a media counterattack.
The first salvo was fired by one Advocate Cleofato Coutinho in this week's Herald (May 5, 2008) where he made a pathetic argument that the Gram Sabhas are exceeding their brief in opposing construction projects. Translation: you common people of Goa are finally standing up for what is right and we don't like it. The word he employs - "usurp" - for people demanding a say in the running of their affairs says it all. Why might he say such a thing? For that you have to wait for installment #2 of my "Wrecking Salcette" tour). Note that he has a nice built-in escape hatch. He can always claim, "I am merely talking about the existing law." Then we had Digu going to bat for his builder buddies in the interview with Times of India. Spoon fed by his cronies (eg. the builder Naik and the mine owner Timblo) he tells us that Goans should not live in a well, that instead we should go global. Translation: Goans, please let my builder buddies run riot and flood your villages with rich bhaile, ooops, I mean, "global citizens." Today we learn that the builders have introduced another variable to muddy the waters. Define "mega housing projects," they tell us. Is a 20-apartment complex a mega housing project? 30? 40? What exactly constitutes a mega housing project?, they ask. My answer: Even a SINGLE apartment project is one too many right now. But watch out, dear Goemkars. These pirates and their political enablers are not going to sit by twiddling their thumbs. Crores and crores of rupees are at stake here. The national builders are also going to come after us. Expect a media blitz, subtle and not-so-subtle, in the near future Btw - Goanet postings are fed back to not only the builders, but also to the highest levels of the Goa govt political hierarchy. Warm regards, r