Vishwajit Rane's Waning Credibility: A Lack of Trust Among Goans – By Nisser Dias

In the eyes of many Goans, Vishwajit Rane has long appeared to be a hollow figure. He fancies himself as astute, often attempting to navigate the realm of political manoeuvring, only to hit a wall when his hidden agendas are exposed.

Vishwajit further diminishes himself by repeatedly declaring unwavering support for the public, vowing never to go against their wishes. Unfortunately, these promises have become tiresome refrains, only echoing when his questionable intentions are laid bare by the people.

In 2019, he made a unilateral decision to bring an IIT to Shel-Melauli in his constituency, on a sprawling 10 lakh sq. meters of land. However, when the local populace caught wind of this plan, they assembled in large numbers at the site, driving the surveyors away.

Rane infamously stated, "Opposition from the people cannot stop 'IIT' at Sattari; IIT is a feather in the cap of Goa." He then deployed a significant police force, led by his loyal police officer, Sagar Ekoskar, to accompany the surveyors. When the residents stood their ground, the situation escalated into a lathi charge by the police, met with retaliation from villagers hurling stones. Rane even sent police to disrupt a press conference held at a temple by leaders of the protest, going as far as to detain an elderly individual.

As the protest garnered support from neighbouring villages like Pali, Hivrem, Mauxi, Dhamshe, and Khotodem, Rane realized that his bluff had been called by the people. He swiftly changed his stance and requested the relocation of the IIT project, stating, "I am with the public, and I will never go against the wishes of the people."

Similar events unfolded regarding the draft zoning plan for Pernem, where Rane attempted to convert 21% of the green cover into a concrete jungle in the name of development. When the people of Pernem rose against this proposal, the Town and Country Planning minister had to sprint with his tail between his legs.

To save face, Rane initially claimed that the plan would be put on hold, awaiting a decision from the central government. However, as public pressure mounted, he reluctantly scrapped the plan entirely, all the while repeating his familiar refrain, "I am with the public, and I will never go against the wishes of the people."

The glaring question is why the people were not consulted from the outset. The answer is all too apparent; Vishwajit Rane was primarily focused on his own interests and those of his well-connected land developer friends.

The rejection of Rane's development projects by his constituents in Shel-Melauli and the people of Pernem signifies a severe erosion of his credibility among Goans. Notably, the late Manohar Parrikar, an autocratic former Chief Minister of Goa, exposed Rane's questionable intentions on multiple occasions during his time in opposition.

For instance, Rane sought to hand over a substantial portion of Goa Medical College (GMC) land to Israelis for a super-specialty hospital. Parrikar's scrutiny led to the project's cancellation.

Another pattern observed in the Shel-Melauli and Pernem incidents is Rane's tendency to scapegoat others to push through his projects. In Shel-Melauli, he accused an individual of encroaching on government land, blaming them for the project's opposition, and promising to reclaim the encroached land. Whether Rane fulfilled this promise remains uncertain.

In the case of Pernem's draft zoning plan, he accused Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar of building an illegal farmhouse and pledged action against it, yet the outcome remains to be seen.

Now, Rane appears to be outsourcing governance to the Centre, bringing in high-ranking figures from Delhi, such as Modi and Shah, rather than heeding the concerns of the local people. This raises questions about the role of the Goa government, Vishwajit Rane's purpose in government, and why Goans should accept the central leadership dictating terms.

If Vishwajit Rane cannot fulfill his elected role of serving the people, it is time for him to consider resigning as a minister and MLA, and perhaps retiring from politics altogether.

Mauvin Godinho is the biggest beneficiary of “Extra Democracy” -- By Nisser Dias

Mauvin Godinho's assertion that Goa has an "Extra Democracy" appears to be rooted in an attitude of arrogance and superiority. He even went so far as to draw a parallel with China, implying a desire for absolute power. Such comparisons to China's communist government suggest a concerning aspiration for unchecked authority.

It is essential to remember that democracy, as defined by the 16th American President Abraham Lincoln, is "Government of the people, by the people, for the people." Mauvin's comments were aimed at the people who were voicing objections to various government projects that seemed to run counter to the wishes of the Goan populace. These frustrations are understandable, given that many of these projects often prioritize the interests of those in power over the well-being of the Goan citizens.

However, it is ironic that Mauvin Godinho himself is arguably the biggest beneficiary of this so-called "Extra Democracy." In 1998, he faced allegations of corruption when he served as the power minister in the Congress government, accused of involvement in a power rebate scam amounting to Rs. 4.52 crore. Despite these allegations, he was not only allowed to join the BJP but also became a minister within the same party. This raises questions about the true nature of democracy, as such preferential treatment appears to be a case of "Extra Democracy."

Furthermore, the fact that the charges against him were eventually reduced to just the power rebate scam highlights the issue of "Extra Democracy" even further. The ongoing criminal trial after 25 years also raises concerns about the efficiency and fairness of the government.

Mauvin Godinho has consistently been elected from Cortalim and Dabolim constituencies. During his tenure, the Sancoale communidade has seen the encroachment of migrants, which suggests political involvement and patronage. It is widely known that Mauvin prioritizes his significant migrant vote bank over the concerns of Goan citizens, further illustrating the concept of "Extra Democracy" from which he has benefited.

Nonetheless, it is crucial for Mauvin Godinho to remember the essence of true democracy. Democracy revolves around empowering the people as the ultimate decision-makers. Over time, it has evolved to encompass principles such as equality, political accountability, citizens' rights, and, to some extent, the values of liberty and justice.

In a democracy, the ultimate authority to deliberate and determine the country's legislation rests with the people, either directly or through their elected representatives. Thus, criticizing activists and NGOs for raising their voices against projects that are detrimental to the people or the environment and pushing the government to reconsider destructive initiatives is not an "Extra Democracy" but a fundamental right.

On the other hand, it is unfortunate that India's democratic values have been eroding since 2014, when the BJP government assumed power. Challenges to freedom of speech, minority rights, increased pressure on human rights groups, intimidation of journalists and activists, and a surge in attacks against minorities, particularly Muslims, have all contributed to a decline in political and civil liberties. This shift has intensified the discussion about the preservation of democracy and its core principles in public discourse.

Venzy Viegas – stop legalizing illegalities. – By Nisser Dias

I am not advocating frequent changes in laws. But laws must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. With the change of circumstances, laws must also keep pace with the times. But that does not mean, laws be made within laws to suit a particular sector.

That is what the Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas seems to be doing with an ulterior motive to win the next elections with a vote bank which had evaded him during the last hustings.

Just like he wanted legislation legalizing ‘Dhirio’ (bull fights) even when the highest court in India had banned it as cruelty to animals much before he was elected as a legislator. Venzy is no different from his predecessors. Power corrupts and it has corrupted Viegas even more. If not Venzy must say I have dedicated 5 years of my life to public service and let others take on the mantle, this is my challenge.

He seems to be advocating that the government of Goa formulate a law for public transportation, interestingly though he wants the ‘tourist taxi operators” out of it. Such nonsense is not only difficult to decipher but also to digest as it comes out of ignorance and arrogance. Early in the month of September Benaulim MLA was part of the meeting of tourist taxi operators and government-supported APP-based Goa Miles called by the Colva police. The police agenda was simple, with the tourism season fast approaching, both parties were warned to conduct their business properly and not to take the law into their own hands.

However, Benaulim MLA Viegas known for his aggressive posturing seems to have developed an amnesical mind for his convenience.

First and foremost, he has to understand and realize that tourist taxi operators have to operate their taxis from home. They have sworn an ‘affidavit’ to that effect with the Rural Transport Office. Basically, it states that they undertake to operate their vehicles on a call basis and that their vehicles would be stationed/parked at their residences and not in front of the hotels or resorts as they do now. If this affidavit is enforced by the police, majority of issues like the fleecing of tourists, and strong-arming of other stakeholders in the hospitality industry including hoteliers will end.

Successive governments for some reason do not want the police to enforce it, giving an opportunity to the likes of Venzy and before him his predecessors to dangle a carrot before the tourist taxi operators for the sake of votes. If the government of the day enforces the affidavit, most of the ills practiced by tourist taxi operators can be stopped. The government would be free to introduce APP-based taxis and overall bring about a massive change in the public transport system in Goa.

Simply because successive governments showed leniency towards the tourist taxi operators for decades now, are have been flexing their muscles. In fact tourist taxi operators are largely part of bringing a bad name to Goa on the tourism map. Tourist taxi operators are like a plague that have been gnawing at the tourism industry since inception.

Initially, the taxi operators took objections against the tour operators who brought in tourists to the state. The former refused to allow the latter to take their own guests on tours in buses, though it was a part of the guest's paid itinerary. Taxi operators took the law into their own hands, blocked the buses, and even assaulted their drivers. At the same time, the taxi operators protested against the hoteliers for hiring out their vehicles to the tourists. Family members were not allowed to pick-up their relatives from the hotels. All this while refusing to adhere to government proposal of regularizing the fares.

Where in the law says, that tourist taxi operators have a full monopoly in this sector?

But politicians like Venzy Viegas and his predecessors (ex MLAs) play the nasty game of the tourist taxi operators for want of votes, thereby allowing the illegal demands of operators to continue, to somehow win the next elections. Benaulim MLA has sold his soul. He made a statement during the meeting that tourist taxi operators in a large-hearted manner gave up ferrying locals so as to accommodate APP-based taxis services.

Interestingly former MLA Churchill Alemao had said, that locals cannot afford tourist taxi operators fares as they are meant for tourists. So who is lying? In the recent past Venzy Viegas hailed a taxi operator charging Rs. 4000 from Mopa airport to Benaulim a distance of 65kms. Does it not expose Viegas' double standards? Please stop supporting illegal causes to come back to power.

If not for tourist taxi operators, Goa like other states would have a robust, easy and affordable public transport system. Politicians like Venzy and his predecessors are responsible for denying Goans such a system for selfish reasons of getting elected again.

Luizinho Faleiro, Churchill Alemao and Joaquim Alemao have tried their best to back tourist taxi operators and lost elections. Venzy Viegas is not doing anything different because he wants to remain in power just like his predecessors.

Enforce the affidavit, show the tourist taxi operators their place and see the change.