The ruling Congress government in Goa and the opposition BJP will never do anything about the mining problem in Goa despite the ecological and environmental damage open cast mining and its transportation have done to the topography of the state.
The many NGOs who are fighting against the mining mafia in all probability will end up barking the wrong tree for the simple reason that the mine owners and their affiliate companies are the major funders of the two main political parties in Goa.
In the year 2007-08, V.M. Salgaonkar & Bros Pvt Ltd gave 72 lakhs to the BJP. Salgaocar was followed by V.S. Dempo and Co. Pvt Ltd who gave 62.5 lakhs to the BJP. This amount is slightly higher than what Chowgule Charitable Trust gave to the BJP in the same year. Chowgules donated 60 lakhs to the BJP. This is just the official amount which is declared by the political party. However, unofficially the figure could be much higher.
At the same time, the Congress party for the same year 2007-08 received 72.5 lakhs from V.M. Salgaonkar & Bros Pvt Ltd; 72.5 lakhs from Chowgule Chariatable Trust and 27.5 lakhs from Sesa Goa Ltd. Dempos on the other hand broke up their contributions in the name of two companies, namely VS Dempo and Co. Pvt Ltd (12.5 lakhs) and Dempo Mining Corporation (10 lakhs).
It has been a know fact that the political parties in Goa are run by the mining lobbies. There is no difference between the BJP and the Congress and whichever party comes to power it will not change the mining laws as they would not want to upset their financiers.
No wonder whenever any NGO raises its voice against illegal mining activities, the BJP as well as the Congress crack down on the NGOs and label them as trouble makers. In some instances, NGO activists were even labeled as Maoists.
Recently, one of my friends who is an active member of an NGO and is fighting the mining lobby told me how he and his friends were nearly attacked by rowdies when they went to a mining village to create an awareness about the ill-effects of mining pollution on their lives, health and to the environment.
As long as the mining, real estate developers and casinos keep on pumping money into the kitty of the BJP and Congress in Goa, the present status quo will continue to prevail. The government does not have a backbone to formulate policies which are beneficial to the people of Goa because the political parties are dependent on the money power of the big mining houses and real estate developers in Goa.
Who cares about the poor Goans? They do not count in the policies of the government. The government formulates its policies at the diktats of these big industrial houses. Only at the time of elections, a few bread crumbs are thrown to the majority of the Goans in the form of this and that schemes. And at voting time, our people are content by accepting Rs500 and Rs 1000 to cast their vote for anybody who is ready to pay them.
We Goans today are lamenting about the slow death of our Goa. But have we done anything to remedy the situation?
Absolutely not. Why have some of us become so selfish and greedy for money that we sell our votes to these uncouth and corrupt politicians who are doing the bidding of the big industrial houses?
Where is democracy which is of the people, by the people and for the people?
Why have we Goans allowed democracy to be turned into an oligarchy (government by a small group of rich people)?
When will our Goans wake up and realize their follies? Wake up Goans and support Niz Goenkar. Let us form a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Let us together bring in the change for a greener, cleaner and golden Goa.
Viva Goa, Viva Niz Goenkar, Goa for Goans.
The reason why the gluttons called politicians thrive is because of the mining lobby. They finance their election campaigns and everything they do. This is the reason why the gluttons are reluctant to take action against the mining lobby or to stop the mining in Goa. As long as they are fed well they do not care even if the whole of Goa is reduced to flat barren desert.
ReplyDeleteCongress! Congress! Congress! Why do Goans need Congress or for that matter any national party? Yesterdays BJP power minister is today Congress Chief Minister. This shows that, these guys have no ideology and no vision for the betterment of Goa. All their focus is on LOOT. We should have a strong regional party and the answer is Niz Goankar. Then and only then we can protect what is left of Goa. Ever pure Goan Hindu, Christian and Muslim come together and vote for Niz Goankar in the coming election and save Goa for future generation. Good deeds are remembered and praised. Bad deeds are also remembered but cursed.
ReplyDeleteRepeating the extracts of Bebdo's article: As long as the mining, real estate developers and casinos keep on pumping money into the kitty of the BJP and Congress in Goa, the present status quo will continue to prevail. The government does not have a backbone to formulate policies which are beneficial to the people of Goa because the political parties are dependent on the money power of the big mining houses and real estate developers in Goa.
ReplyDeleteTo add; as long as we have crumb eaters and fear political goondas, Goan political ground remains the same and benefits non-Goan parties. We need to change the entire political system in Goa by introducing a third stronger Goan- Party preferably headed by Niz Goenkars' supporters. That is the wake up call to all TRUE GOANS, be it HINDUS, CHRISTIANS or MUSLIMS. Long Live Goa..
@ Bebdo - Yes this is the time to come together and group ourselves to thwart away the bad elements in the Goan politics and bring changes to the administration in the Goa Government. For this we require the support and monetary policy to establish Niz Goenkar candidates. It would be prudent on each and every Niz Goankar working family to contribute one month’s salary for this good cause and I am sure NG will get a good response for this funding. It will be difficult and pinch us a bit to give away a little of one’s hard earnings but in order not to lose our dignity and identity. We can't negotiate and proceed further until each and everyone is willing to give on some sacrifices to its motherland.
ReplyDeleteMy humble call to all the Goans world wide to contribute in such way that we prosper in our egos. Let our motto towards our motherland Goa always be “Better we lose ourselves than my beloved State and my Goan identity”. VIVA GOA, VIVA NIZ GOENKAR.
Bebdo - what you say is the truth.
ReplyDeleteNone other than Manohar Parrikar labelled our Seby Rorigues from MAAND a Naxalite for exposing the harmful effects of the Mining Industry.
Neither the Congress nor BJP have the will or resolve to hold the Mining Industry accountable for the damages they are causing to Goa.
The same goes for the casinos and real estate lobbies. No wonder both the Goa Government and Opposition are silent over all what's happening.
Bebdo you are the rising sun (son) of Goa just like the logo of Niz Goenkar. With your articles you have brought light in the darkness which was there in the minds of Goans.
ReplyDeleteJai Bebdo and Niz Goenkar
Thanks Bebdo for another enlightening article on the sad state of affairs in OUR Goa. I have seen pictures of the mining sites, it looks like atomic bombs have been dropped on Goa, like Nagasaki. It amazing me, that if Parkistan had caused the destruction of one of those mines, we would shedding blood in the thousands, yet when it is own that is doing it, we are okay with it???? What is wrong with us? Goa should be recognized as a Natural Park with so much natural beauty, instead we are causing IRREVESIBLE destruction. I know people need jobs, but that is the work of the Chor politicians to create the environment for other diversified employment. Our people need to realize we need to stop electing 'illiterate' goons into office who have no vision for Goa, other then to LOOT our Goa to create wealth for themselves and 10 generations!
ReplyDeleteHave a look at the video on the insanity of mining in Goa from Target Goa:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.targetgoa.com/index.php
The destruction of Goa contniues unabated - and will we just sit and watch our Goa being destroyed by our own Goa Government working with the Mine owners. Now even our policticians are mine owners!