By Tomazinho Cardozo

December 1961 Goa was liberated. Democracy triumphed. Over the last 49 years, both democratically as well as ‘undemocratically’, elected governments have administered this little state. 

Though administration developed at a dramatic pace, it has failed to make Goa a great state. Political instability, deterioration of political ethics, soaring prices, corruption, red tape and other maladies of administration have left the people disillusioned.

Goa, being a tiny state, there were ample opportunities to make it an ideal state. However, though Goa has proved to be better than other states in a few sectors, in recent years, it failed to achieve the number one status.

Poverty is one of the main roadblocks to a state’s progress. Poverty in Goa, however, cannot be compared the poverty seen in other states.  Over the last two decades, poor from other states have settled in Goa in large numbers. Successive governments have not made any attempts to stall the influx of poor and unemployed into Goa and thus they have contributed towards increasing the percentage of poor in Goa.   If this trend is allowed to continue, Goa will never free itself from the clutches of poverty.

Unemployment is another factor. Since liberation, governments have not succeeded in curbing unemployment. It is for these reasons that the educated youth of Goa dream of going abroad to work. Tourism is considered as the most important industry for Goa’s economic growth today, but it does not attract Goans as far as employment is concerned because the employment provided by this industry is purely seasonal and temporary, and the salary offered is too meagre. How can an employee be secure and satisfied with such insecure jobs? Thus Goans prefer to go elsewhere while these jobs are grabbed by non-Goans. This is a serious challenge to our administration. If the present trend in the growth of population is not stopped, the coming decades will present serious challenges for public administration in Goa.

In general, law and order problems are likely to be aggravated by various factors such as labour unrest, communal tensions, party rivalries, soaring prices, growing discontent and indiscipline among politicians and students. Unfortunately, Goa is also affected by some of these problems. In recent times, communal strife has raised its ugly head in Goa. In order to garner votes and wrest political power, some politicians have aroused communal passions and have in the process damaged the centuries-old secular credentials of Goa.

Good health conditions are growth indicators. Goa has not yet succeeded in providing the required health care to its citizens. There are various reasons for this state of affairs. Once again, it is the poor and illiterate non-Goans who are responsible for the adverse effects on our health system. Malaria is one such case. Rampant destruction of environment in the guise of development has also contributed towards messing up our health care. Ground water, particularly in the coastal belt, is polluted because of the innumerable septic tanks and soak-pits. Under these circumstances can Goa’s health care be improved?

Corruption is global and Goa is no exception. No work, however legal, can be done without paying bribes.  No authority is capable of taking any action on corrupt officials because every authority is corrupt. Corruption under no circumstances can help in the progress of the state.

Every government has paid enough attention to the development of education in the state. Every village today has primary schools, middle schools and high schools, and yet Goa is not hundred percent literate. Once again, it is due to the influx of poor, illiterate and unemployed non-Goans.

Thus, Goa today faces serious challenges and strains in its path towards progress. The path to progress is not only thorny but problematic too. Until and unless authorities tackle these challenges seriously and sincerely no real progress will be achieved.  Therefore we need persons of high integrity in the decision making body. And we need citizens who are sincere and selfless so that they vote for those who will give an open and transparent government.

Then and only then will be see Goa as a great society in times to come.