Power corrupts and absolute Power corrupts absolutely, is what we are witnessing in Goa. That atrocious and scornful ‘Bhumiputra’ legislation was the biggest affront that this government could have inflicted on the very uniqueness of Goa and Goans. The power inebriated and bigheaded ruling party has obviously lost its marbles and having gone berserk is stooping to inconceivable levels while sinking the remains of Goa down the drain. .
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the BJP owe an open regret to every Goan on account of that ill-conceived and deceitful ‘Bhumiputra’ legislation that was with ulterior motives recklessly and hurriedly bulldozed through the recent session of the Legislative Assembly. Given the string of foul and tainted decisions taken by the Chief Minister against the interest of the State, whether Goans would even entertain his request for forgiveness is a big question.
It is imperative that all those responsible for this entire episode be held accountable. Equally answerable are those officials in the Law department who cleared such a horrendous bill without examining its legal implications as the government is duty bound by the mandate of the Supreme Court to clear all illegal and unauthorized structures.
Though we all knew that this appalling move by the government would not withstand the test of law, it did create an unnecessary heartburn and needless panic for a lot of people more particularly Senior Citizens who were so very disturbed over this draconian move. It is an irony that while Goa is officially celebrating 60 years of Liberation, the Government chose to act so high-handedly and recklessly.
It was known to all that this illegal and soiled move by the BJP was to try and lure voters as the Assembly elections are round the corner. But the government had to retreat in view of the spontaneous massive backlash it faced from disturbed Goans from all sections of the society. The public rage is not just to the name of that proposed law but to its content and more particularly the vested skewed political intent.
The Chief Minister has once again proved his sheer rank political immaturity and if he has any sense of the people’s pulse he requires to outright consign to the bin that devious ‘Bhumiputra Adhikarini bill’ and not even dare to rename and reintroduce it. Pramod Sawant has just a few months remaining, so he would be well advised to enjoy that throne and not rock it while it lasts.
As any legislation that is enacted has far reaching effects on the State and its people, there must be a detailed and thorough debate on the pros and cons of every law that is contemplated. We elect Legislators to debate issues concerning the people and to enact good laws. The Assembly is the democratic forum where elected representatives of the people must hold debates on matters that affect the people. It should afford an opportunity for members to discuss the intricacies of government policy, proposed new laws and topical issues of the day. Debates are designed to assist MLAs to reach an informed decision on a subject.
Curtailing to mere three days the duration of that session of the Legislative Assembly was a very overbearing wrong move that did not augur well in the framework of democracy. Besides in this current Pandemic, Goa is grappling with so many very grave issues and the Legislative Assembly should have been a proper and appropriate forum for the MLAs to raise and debate issues pertaining to the public. The sittings of the Legislative Assembly have to be meaningful and fruitful in the interest of the State and not merely a cosmetic exercise aimed at fulfilling that constitutional requirement.
It is imperative that there should be a free and fair meaningful debate without bulldozing legislations through. Stifling debate by a lack-lustre, ill-informed Assembly only leads to the current malaise and downward spiral we find ourselves in and it is absolutely anti-democratic. It ignores the aspirations and best interests of the people and leads to a more dictatorial style of government with poor laws, lack of accountability, scrutiny and transparency. It erodes any trust that the public may have in their MLAs.
If elected lawmakers can be so uncaring and abdicate their sacred and democratic duties how can they expect other institutions of Government and the people to respect the poorly enacted laws that they legislate? In a way we deserve the political rot because sadly we knowingly elect MLAs who are by the people, of the people but definitely never for the people. But thankfully as a safeguard our Constitution of India provides for a Judiciary that can intervene when the Legislature or Executive exceeds its limits or abdicates in its bounden responsibilities.
