Regaining Goa: A Call for Local Governance

If Goans are genuinely contemplating regaining our rapidly losing ground in Goa, it would be foolhardy to depend on political parties headquartered in Delhi. Political parties such as the ABC trio might make every effort to look and sound like they care for Goa, but they do not. Their primary interest lies in Goa’s real estate, and in the process, they often undermine the Goan community that has been meticulously built over time.

An organic local party is the need of the hour, one that will stay true and committed to Goa’s interests. A lot of expectations were built on Party A, which initially appeared unique from Parties B and C. They have indeed done a lot of grassroots work for the community. However, the fact that their Delhi bosses are willing to negotiate with corrupt entities raises serious concerns. It seems that their goal is merely to win elections by any means necessary, with little regard for the local population.

This top-down approach, where Delhi bosses are made to look like kings, is detrimental to Goa’s cause. Large hoardings are placed all over Goa when their Delhi bosses arrive, with the local representatives’ pictures crowded and smaller in size, while the boss’s picture is in an imposing and bigger pose. This type of approach only serves to shield the actual masterminds who are hell-bent on shaping Goa according to their own interests.

Goa’s main allure has been speculation in the real estate market. To regain our lost ground, we need laws that effectively curb excess speculation. One way to manage this is to introduce a law that restricts real estate ownership by outsiders. We do not need to completely ban outsiders from buying real estate, but we can limit it to about 5% of the market. This 95:5 Goan/outsider ratio would ensure that the Goan way of life is protected.

The threat is not from tourists; it is from Indian tourists who convert themselves into residents after experiencing our way of life, and those who become real estate investors-cum-speculators. The entry level is too easy, with many Indians owning multiple Airbnbs and financing these purchases with high levels of debt. This prices out Goans, who are comparatively debt-averse.

To regain Goa, Goans must also make serious lifestyle changes. We cannot afford a lifestyle that depends on cheap labor from outside the state and then expect Goa to remain unchanged. If we employ house helps by the dozen, just because we can afford to do our daily household chores, we should not complain when these house helps celebrate their festivals, which are alien to us, on our pristine beaches.

If Goans do not put in the desired hours, have a poor work ethic, and are unwilling to do menial jobs, it forces employers to hire from outside the state. For these Goan employees, there is just one message: if you want to regain Goa, you had better pull up your socks. Just because you are a Goan does not mean you are entitled to a job if your productivity is half that of your foreign peers. Also, stop comparing your remuneration with the profits your employer is making; they are taking all the financial and business risks, ensuring you still get your salary even in a loss.

People leaving Goa easily in the name of education, employment, or to reside in tax havens must be addressed by the government. Taxation is a powerful tool to stop speculation in the real estate market, similar to how taxes have been applied to crypto in India. However, there is a lack of will on this front because many politicians are heavily invested in real estate, either directly or through proxies.

To achieve these goals, we need a completely loyal, Goa-centric local party. We should give such a party a chance and keep a close eye on its performance. Delhi-based parties cannot be expected to take care of Goans; their playground is the entire country, and taking the side of Goans might hurt their image as national parties.

Regaining Goa can only happen when 95% of Goa’s equity remains in Goan hands. For this to happen, we need a Goan party that will make laws to reverse the damage done and reclaim Goa for Goans.