CM Pramod Sawant criticised Mayem locals for opposing the proposed law college, calling it a human tendency to resist change. He stressed that politics should not hinder village development and that progress comes through development.
However, the Goa government’s approach of imposing projects without consulting locals raises concerns. Why don’t ministers start from the ground up, engaging with residents and addressing their concerns if the project is genuinely beneficial? Governance should be “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” The final say should rest with the locals, not just the ministers. Moreover, should any development be allowed, or should it be sustainable and suitable for the area?
A major issue is the trust deficit between people and Goa’s ministers. Rampant environmental damage—hill cutting, deforestation, water body destruction, and pollution—often benefits big real estate firms. Projects like the huge housing complexes highlight this destructive trend. Time and again, “development” projects, including airports and educational institutions, seem like fronts for real estate expansion. What guarantees that Mayem won’t face the same fate? Villagers’ concerns deserve to be heard before another project is forced upon them.
