Ten years after it ran aground at Candolim beach, and after several broken promises and failed removal attempts, the Attorney General of Goa tells the High Court that the tender for removal of the ill fated ship, the River Princesswill be awarded soon.
Yeah ! How many times have we heard such lofty promises made with a great deal of bravado by various politicians and bureaucrats ? TEN years !!! And the rusting hulk of the ship is still there, making removal all the more difficult and all the more expensive because of the deterioration that has set in over the decade. And who will foot the bill for the removal ? The hapless taxpayers of Goa, while the owners go scot free ? Why are the owners or charterers of the ship not being held accountable and responsible for its removal ? Are they part of the coterie and nexus of politicians and mine owners who thumb their noses at the "aam aadmi" (a.k.a.squealing pigs) of Goa ? And if we are to take this AG at his word, when will the work commence ? Obviously not during the fury of the monsoons. Perhaps at the commencement of the tourist season in October, so we have another sordid spectacle for tourists to stare at ? Give me another shot of Feni so that I can go into a stupor of susegadness that we Goans are renowned for.
