Would Goa have been better off as a Union territory? (ToI)

TNN | Jul 7, 2014, 01.04 AM ISTYes, definitely better off. Goans today realize the trap they got into by craving for statehood. An illusion gone awfully sour. With statehood the common man has lost but only the politicians have become crorepatis. As a Union territory, we were ably managed by a cabinet of four, today Goa is totally mismanaged by a jumbo cabinet of 12. Expenditure by government was monitored unlike wasteful and extravagant waste of public funds we see today. These frequent foreign jaunts by ministers was unheard of. As a Union territory the governor was a controlling authority under the direct supervision of the President of India. Goa was pristine, beautiful and a peaceful haven. Today it is no longer that Paradise of the East. Sorrowing lies our Goa.

Aires Rodrigues, lawyer, Ribandar

No Goa is far better as a state. Under statehood Goa is more independent and is enjoying many facilities for its development. Goa has its own identity and it is not dependent on the central government. It even has its own regional language. Also, if the state and central government is formed by the same political party then this can lead to faster and better development of the state.

Aparna Chandan Fougeri, lawyer, Bicholim

Personally, I feel that statehood is the best thing that has happened to Goa, because a state has a better understanding of the things that have to be done in its territory and hence the head of the state or the council of ministers who are in touch with the situation of the state will make better laws for the state. In a union territory, the ultimate control is with the President through the administrator for the state. That according to me is not going to help tackle the issues of the state. Only those in touch with the aspirations of the people and the problems of the people will be in a better position to tackle the situation that arises in the state.

Adish Harlankar, Advocate, Margao

I think Goa would have been better off as a Union territory. The main difference between the two statuses for Goa would be the political impact. As a Union territory, I think the corruption level would not be as high as it is now in state run departments. Politicians are all in a race to accumulate wealth for their future generations. Functioning of the state machinery and government servants is more efficient in a Union territory.

Biula Pereira, Associate professor, Nuvemhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Would-Goa-have-been-better-off-as-a-Union-territory/articleshow/37922081.cms