It is so refreshing to see that the roads and streets of Goa are now finally free from all those political hoardings, banners and posters. But the authorities have also to take punitive action against those responsible for all these defacements of public property which were going on so blatantly over the last many weeks.
While racing against the Model Code of Conduct, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had been laying so many foundation stones and inaugurating various incomplete projects obviously with substandard works carried out in a tearing hurry.
A classic example is the proposed Mapusa bus stand which has been unveiled as an interim bus stand. Such a thing was never heard of. Will the authorities clarify what it means?
Any foundation stone must be laid only when the actual work starts. So also the inauguration should be only take place after the project is complete in all respects and ready to be put in operation.
In fact with the State coffers empty, the government should have prudently desisted from spending needlessly on foundation stone laying ceremonies and pompous inaugural functions.
Now with the Code of Conduct in place the onus is on every citizen to remain vigilant and ensure that there is no abuse of power leading to violations which the BJP is known for and excelled at during the 2017 Assembly elections.
These forthcoming polls have to be free and fair in all respects. But with the autonomy and independence of the Election Commission compromised we have to be alert all the more to ensure that it is not a Code of (Mis) conduct.
