POLITICIANS IN GOA ARE JUST TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN INTERESTS By Nisser Dias nisserd...@gmail.com 9422437029
Last week, elected representatives -- or rather some of the ministers of the Congress-led coalition government -- set yet another precedent in India's tourist state. The G7 as the group is known and named after the Group of Seven, but now branded as the Gang of Seven, has served an ultimatum to the chief minister. They've done so by indicating to him in no uncertain terms that he dare not lift a finger to drop them as ministers under any circumstances. Else, his term as chief minister too would be cut short. In other words the Gang of Seven, most of whose members either has a shady past or a criminal record (at the time of penning this column, two cases were registered against the Tourism minister Mickky Pacheco) are telling not only the chief minister but also the people of Goa, that the law is not applicable to them. That the law is only to the lay person. To put it in Shashi Tharoor's words, it is applicable only to the cattle class, that is, to us the people of Goa. Goa's legacy as a paradise on earth -- not forgetting being one of the global hot-spots for its flora and fauna -- is based on it being home to grand or aristocratic architecture, virgin beaches, a soothing green countryside, crystal clear waterfalls, calmly flowing rivers and easy green rolling hills. This all is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. And in its place what we hear of are drug deals, rapes, murders and what we see is utter contempt for the law. Who is responsible for this collapse of law and order? It is me and you, for electing self-centered individuals to run the administration of this state. Individuals whose primary aim is to fill their coffers even if it mean to ride roughshod the law or bend it to suit their interests. We expected out elected representatives to be role models for our citizens, but they have let us down miserably. Last week, the political scenario in the state was in a state of flux, with the Gang of Seven flexing their muscles in connivance with State and Central leaders. Their intention being not the betterment of the State and its people, but simply their own wellbeing. There were rumours last week that the chief minister wanted to rein in dissent against him by the Gang of Seven. An opportunity came the CM's way with the NIA (National Investigation Agency) probing the links of Transport minister Sudin Dhavlikar's wife with the Hindu fundamentalist group Sanatan Sanstha. The latter is charged with having tried to carry out bomb explosions in Margao on the eve of Diwali. The CM apparently wanted to ease him out of cabinet, at the same time using the yardstick applied to senior Congressman Dayanand Narvekar, Education minister Babush Monserrate was also in the firing line, as a charge-sheet was filed against him in a criminal case. But the group of seven caused the plans of the chief minister to go haywire. Interestingly what has surfaced in the public domain is the fact that it is no longer the chief minister's prerogative to either induct or drop a minister. Neither is it within his discretion to allot portfolios of his choice to his cabinet colleagues. Infact, our chief minister has been reduced to a mere postman who does what the Centre directs him too. Besides, he also gives in to the wishes of the coalition partner, and further agrees to the demands of the Independents supporting the government. Inspite of all this, none are happy. Either they feel they have not been included in the Cabinet when they deserve to, or because those included could not get the choicest or the lucrative portfolios. Hence, once again the rigmarole begins and the clamour goes out for a leadership change. This means toppling bids, threats to pull out of the government and so on. And for what and whom? It is surely not for the betterment of the State or its people but for our politicians themselves. Let's us analyze our ministers and their criminal record. First the Gang of Seven: Tourism minister Mickky Pacheco was involved in a shack burning case in Betalbatim even before he became a MLA. He was later acquitted. He still though has some cases pending with the police like the infamous casino case and, just this week, the police have registered offences against him for assault on a photojournalist and filling of low lying area in Colva. Earlier too, there were instances where he allegedly assaulted a KTC driver and an electricity department engineer while they were on duty. For his brash behaviour, he has even denied a gun license. Then comes Education minister Babush Monserrate, who very recently he has been charged with an 'attempt to murder' in the Panjim police station stoning case along with some of his supporters. Earlier too he was allegedly charged with extortion. A private complaint of a 'threat to kill' is also hanging over the head of the Health minister Vishwajit Rane in the court of law. A non-cognizable case also stands registered against Transport minister Sudin Dhavlikar for allegedly threatening to kill a person spearheading agitation against Sanatan Sanstha. PWD minister Churchill Alemao was charged under the National Security Act (NSA) during the tenure of former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane. Again Churchill and his brother Urban Development minister Joaquim Alemao were charged with smuggling and had to spend time in jail during investigation. They were subsequently acquitted. Former Finance minister Dayanand Narvekar has been charge-sheeted in the one day international cricket match ticket scam and also for endangering human lives. He was dropped from the Cabinet after being charge-sheeted in the case. Besides this, some of our legislators are also alleged involved in sex scandals, illegal mining and selling of mining ore. With ministers with such background, how can we expect good governance and administration? How will these ministers with a shady past allow the chief minister, bureaucrats and officers to functions for Goa's brighter future? Besides, the powers that the ministers have been carrying on their shoulders have not only gone to their heads, it seems that some of it has also been transferred onto their sons and daughters. Take the example of a senior Congress politician son. It is alleged that he is involved with drug dealers, prostitution racket and illegal mining. Then there is the son of yet another minister against whom a rape case is under trial. Then there is a daughter of yet another Congress minister whose alleged dealings are allegedly on the other side of law. Recently it is alleged that she locked one of the contractors renovating their residence, inside the bathroom for a full day. Currently, the police are on a hunt for drug dealers. Have the police even made an attempt to questions the minister's son for his alleged involvement? On the face of it, nabbing of some drug dealers maybe bring a relief to citizens; but in my opinion it is just a farce. Israeli national Dudu is a spent force in drug deals in Goa; after his arrest in Bombay more then a year ago he was out of business and thus became a liability to the police, leading to his arrest. Infact the police are paving the way for others to get into drug business by easing out the old players. Our ministers are in the know how of it, but will not lift a finger to curb the trade as there is lots of money in it. [Written on March 4, 2010 and published in Goa.]