Goa Diary

Neta-lala nexus
Politicians in Goa generally think twice about annoying the state’s powerful mine owners who control most of the industry here. Governments come and go in the state but violation of environmental and other laws are generally overlooked. Some like former Chief Minister Wilfred D’Souza who bucked the trend by ordering the transport ministry to raid the mine owners and collect arrears in road taxes owed by them paid for it by losing his government.

That is why a recent outburst by deputy chief minister Dayanand Narvekar comes as a surprise. He told press persons that he was always opposed to the Reliance-Salgaocar power project, the only utility company in the private sector in Goa. He felt that the company’s high tariffs could bankrupt the state’s treasury. So is the Sardinha government on the way out or will a compromise be made?

Turtle tale
It may not be the coast of Orissa, but Goa’s secluded beaches are slowly becoming havens for the famed Olive Ridley turtles thanks to the untiring efforts of the state’s forest department. The department has identified Morjim and Galgibag beaches as nesting points for the turtles. When work began in 1997-98, poaching of turtle eggs was rampant with the eggs available for as little as one rupee in the markets. By successfully roping in the local residents, the foresters have managed to increase the number of hatchlings released into the sea. From less than 500 hatchlings released into the sea two years ago, the number has increased to nearly 800 this year. And the hatching season goes on till March-end this year.

Clean Goa
The state government may be broke, but the administration is really determined to show a face of genteel poverty. After a gap of several years attempts are being made to spruce up the public gardens in Goa’s main towns. A touch of paint, removal of weeds, new tiles on pedestrian walkabouts are in full swing to greet tourists who will flock to Goa in the summer. To ensure that such good work continues in the future as well, the private sector has been roped in as sponsors.

Tailpiece
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ram Naik, is not known for his sartorial elegance. As an MLA and Member of Parliament from Mumbai North, he was known to loiter around in crumpled kurta and pyjama. Ministerial office has certainly transformed. The white kurta has given way to more colourful replacements and a nattily cut over-oat does the honours. And the white starched dhoti gives him the touch of elegance. And places him in exalted company with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani.

— Shiv Kumar