Today’s Heraldo (4.3.09), were full of letters on subject ordinances which was promulgated by the Government of Goa, and amended the 14th year old land acquisition act which generated a controversy for reasons that do not seems to be justified , at least from the legal point of view and some feel is within the ambit of the Constitution.
This ordinance was done by the Digamber Government with a view to block the implementation of the Supreme Court order to demolish an unauthorized construction of the five Star Hotel Cidade de Goa with the Governor of Goa, Dr.Shivinder Singh giving his ascent.
However the State Government has rushed to hurriedly pass an ordinance to prevent the demolition. This is clear enough indication of this government’s real priorities. The greater tragedy is, except the Minister of Tourism,Micky Pacheco, not a single Minister or MLA, has protested against the government’s decision , therefore the minds of people of Goa are finding insecure that the Government may try to bring such ordinances in future , just to protect the interests of rich mining magnate and hoteliers..
It does not speak well of a government that says it represents the aam admi. In the letters to the Editor column, we have today many authors who have well expressed and targeted directly their guns to the Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Digamber Kamat which they found not satisfied with the decisions taken by his Government who made a complete mockery on promulgating the ordinance.
We have Dr. Francisco Colaco, Cardiologist who felt that the owners of the Cidade de Goa, Anju and Audhut Timblo were nicest people, very friendly, always gentle and ready to reach out to the needy, but now he found their colours have changed like chameleon, by putting up a huge commercial illegality at their five star resorts, Cidade de Goa.
Other author Dr.J.M. de Almeida, an IAS officer, says that for years the Cidade de Goa management blocked the customary road, thereby denying access to the public beach in front of the hotel premises, which proved that the Government is weak which gave in and issued an ordinance to regularize an illegal act of the hotel. Next another author like Dr. Oscar Rebello, renowned medical practitioner and social activist also felt after shattering news of a ordinance proclaimed by the jellyfish government which overturned a judgment of the highest court of the land ordering demolition of the illegal extension, thus disobeying a Supreme Court verdict, just cannot be the solution, much as this cowboy Government may want us to think so. He ridiculed the decision taken by the Government to get rid of Gaddos of ordinary folk or the woman of the flesh were mercilessly evicted from Baina for being non-Goans eyesores or when houses standing for centuries were demolished for flouting CRZ? And now this mighty rich people were given “salvacao” by promulgating an ordinance!
Then comes another Doctor Ferdinando dos Reis Falcao, who says that if one breaks the law that is in force, be it civil or criminal, willingly or in ignorance, an offence is committed. Then Mr. Arwin Mesquita feels that the amendment of this nature opens the doors to legalize all other commercial illegalities in Goa on people land which will bend on destroying Goa for personal gains.
And finally our friend, who compares the HCN Channel Adv. Juino de Sousa, says whether this ordinance will stand scrutiny of Court? Is it possible for the state legislature to set at naught the legal effect of a judgment of the Supreme Court or High Court? He feels that it is going to be easy for someone to file a PIL to contest the ordinance on the ground that it seeks only to nullify the Supreme Court verdict. At the same time he felt what was the hurry for the Government to bring this bill before the full house? This clearly shows that the intentions were just to help these great mighty and powerful giants.
Surely by issuing an ordinance, the government has sought to undermine the rule of law and has sent wrong signals which would erode public faith in the judicial system, and also hit hard at the concept of sanctity that is attached to a court order.
Are the children of lesser God than the owner of the Cidade de Goa?
The Supreme Court’s integrity and the image of the Indian Judicial system have been completely tarnished.
Now, it is left to be seen whether our Opposition Leader, Mr. Manohar Parrikar, will make an issue in the ensuing parliamentary elections, so that people may express their feelings during the battle of the ballot, provided he does not support this ordinance.
The Goa Government owes an answer to the Goan electorate.
Other wise what in the Portuguese proverb says will be “NOVES FORA ZERO” meaning, whatever you do the net effect is ZERO.