GOA's DESIGNER CORRUPTION

Published in GOMANTAK TIMES 21st August 2012 The Chief Minister of Goa in his Independence Day speech has appealed for public support to eradicate corruption. Till this time he seemed to portray the idea that he had the absolute answer to eradicating corruption by just waving his magic wand. This boasting has now been diluted by putting the onus on the public. Gullible citizens still console themselves by believing that there exists a clean politician who seems hell bent on uprooting corruption within the rank and file of the Government of Goa. Interestingly, the Chief Minister is now emphasizing on ‘zero tolerance to corruption’ which is quite different from ‘zero corruption’. But there being no definition as regards what constitutes ‘Corruption’, it becomes difficult to assess the actual levels of corruption in the present government. Is corruption in Goa’s governance just limited to tenders and jobs cleared in 24 hours by the previous government? Of course, such promises from politicians are nothing new. Even the most corrupt politician in the opinion of the public will have no problem to voice an attack against corruption if it will temporarily contribute to raising the Gross Happiness Index of his vote bank. It is about that ‘feel good’ factor. What does it cost to launch a verbal attack against corruption and keep the public ever hopeful that something will happen? A few hired voices in media circles to chant praises about the decline in corruption levels is more than sufficient. Every day of public contentment and survival in politics gives chance for more monkey business. Politicians can swear against corruption without their faces giving away any clues of their insincerity. The normalcy in body language while screaming against corruption is so amazing that it often leaves the public appearing as fools. And as usual, corruption in governance is something that no MLA, MP or Sarpanch will ever claim to practice. Because either politicians have no remorse of conscience or they see their corrupt actions as absolutely normal behavior in politics. In case of glaring corruption that becomes evident to the public, excuses about compulsions in politics is always the convenient justification. Similarly, the fault will always be dumped on the lower wrung staff in government that do not have the liberty of clarifying such misleading and false claims by the Government nor do they have the strength to challenge their political bosses openly by risking their jobs. Nowadays, blaming the Congress Party for all evils in this country is another propaganda that sells effortlessly. Adding to the confusion on corruption are elements like the Annas, Muthaliks and Babas who add flavour to current politics which survives by distracting public attention. It may not be wrong to say that the levels of corruption are relative to the quantum of public protests. Politicians actually welcome agitations provided the strings are under their control. More public protests could mean more scope for blackmail and bribes. The wonderful example that comes to mind is about the Town and Country Planning department. Granting of permissions is deliberately made difficult for the common man by using the excuse of public protests. So the people’s movements are made unpopular on one hand and on the other, the real estate developer who is ready to pay the hefty price continues to obtain the permissions. Nothing changes on ground for the unscrupulous builder. In fact even media noises about losses caused to real estate and casinos due to public agitations or government crack downs appear to be manufactured by the lobby itself. So, for the moment all noise against corruption is just beating of empty drums. It does not translate into real action. The permission raj is ever flourishing and financial powers continue to be concentrated in few hands. While continually blaming the previous government for various ills, the same mischievous laws and rules enacted by the previous regime continue to be exploited by the present government because they are extremely beneficial for corruption. The TCP Act, Regional Plan process, the new common building rules and several other laws which are ultra vires of the Constitution of India are preserved to cause favour to those with vested interests in real estate and mining. The Government is now toying with the idea of making Panchayats dependent on government dole. If this is not corruption then what is it? The only difference in practices of corruption by governments which public can presently expect is that the one of the past was brash and blatant while the one in the present is absolutely sophisticated and polished. -Soter D'souza