The Hindu Business Line : ‘People know I mean business.’

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s Congress-led coalition government recently completed six months in office. A senior politician accepted across caste, religion and community barriers, Mr Kamat’s strengths are accessibility, an accommodating nature, openness to criticism and a firm belief in resolving issues through dialogue and discussion. His sympathisers feel his virtues have often rendered him vulnerable not only to demands from coalition partners but also to those from within his own Congress Party. That also often clouds public perception about the stability of his government. However, having completed six months overcoming an aborted attempt to topple the government, Mr Kamat exudes confidence that he would continue because he is committed to the “Aam Aadmi”. Excerpts:

Tell us, how stable is your government?

I never worry about the chair. I am here because of my sincere commitment and dedication to the common man. Please do not forget that in the history of this State no government has ever survived a serious toppling bid, except mine, and that too within 50 days. I survived and became stronger because common people asked , “What has he done wrong that he has to go?” Now, this Government is quite stable and performing.

What about bickering among coalition partners?

You must know to manage the contradictions and at the same time be sincere about the coalition dharma. I gave the first signal by not hesitating to give portfolios like Home and Finance to my colleagues. Some said it was the first sign of weakness. I did it because of my conviction that you do not need particular portfolios to serve people. No coalition partner has any problem with me.

How would you review your government’s performance for the first six months?

I believe six months is too short a period for any government. Secondly, you also know that my Government had to undergo an Agnidivya (trial by fire) even before it completed two months when the Opposition parties tried to topple it. It failed but all this meant waste of time and energy. Right from the beginning I have said my priority would be to solve the problems and grievances of the common people. That I have initiated right from the word go.

How?

In two ways. Firstly, I immediately took up the task of identifying the departments where people come into direct contact with the administration on a day-to-day basis. Immediately after I was sworn in, my first action was to decentralise the records of birth and death from the capital city headquarters to Taluka HQ. By doing this I sent a signal to the people that the government would step by step try to mitigate their sufferings in regard to their work with government departments.

Secondly, I have taken up five major departments with a public interface like Collectorates, Police, Municipalities, Health and Panchayats for system and procedural reforms. They account for almost 80 per cent Government-citizen interface. People know I mean business. Thirdly, I have taken up a lot of projects where the aim is to provide basic amenities to the common people who have suffered for long due to lack of roads, power connectivity, water connections and so on. Broadband connectivity will also take administration to people’s homes in a few months.

Goa is fast growing, but people seem to question development?

You have to realise that Goa is a different State where there has been faster rate of economic growth propelled by mining exports, tourism - the tertiary sector in particular, which is contributing more than 50 per cent to the State economy. Here people are aware and conscious of issues such as environmental problems. I have no problem with people opposing projects, but I want to know once and for all from people of Goa what exactly they want.

How do you balance the interests of different sections in such a State?

Agriculture is on the decline. People in far-out rural areas live in poverty. The responsibility of a government should be to ensure that the fruits of high growth reach the poor strata of the society. I have been emphasising that the growth should be inclusive or the people will not be with the government. My concern is always for the marginal sections of society.

What are the priorities?

I have concentrated on infrastructure development in a big way. My government has taken health services and education as thrust areas. We have made a beginning by having set up education and health advisory councils with experts to advise us. Goa is becoming an urban State. If we are not able to provide basic facilities including health cover to people in our villages, they in turn migrate to urban areas and further put pressure on already overburdened urban infrastructure. Goa’s biggest problem is mismatch of the available unemployed educated people and the need of the industry in terms of human resource.Industry and other development should benefit local people first. One of the reasons why people oppose unplanned industrialisation is that this has not happened in the past. For that I am taking the support and guidance of educationists and experts.

Goa seems to be embroiled in agitations all the time. Does it not bother you? Will this not scare away investors?

I repeat, I have no problem with the agitations. People have the right. But let me clarify, all the controversies including SEZ and the Regional Plan-related ones are inherited. I have to be fair and judicious in giving a fair trial to all the stakeholders before taking decisions. As, for instance, I am very clear if people of Goa do not want SEZs, I will not support SEZs, but I need time.

Not much industrial investment is coming into the State.

I agree with you very much that in a situation where people are seen as opposing everything, the investment climate could get vitiated. Development will have positive as well as adverse effects. Either we work to keep the negatives down to the minimum or we do not progress at all. The choice has to be made by the people.

When will the task force on Regional Plan of Goa 2021 give its report?

The task force has people of integrity, eminence and expertise. They are going to give us a comprehensive State land-use-plan. Then let Goans decide what exactly they want us to do. I welcome public participation. I want people to be alert and vigilant. But you cannot take a completely myopic view if Goa has to march on.

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