BREAKING : The Truth Behind Ferry Boat Fare Hike in Goa, now withdrawn.
The "Grand Withdrawal" by CM Sawant of Goa has cut to size recently "high flying" RND Minister Subhash Phaldesai and is also a win for People's movement in Goa.
Government of Goa has indicated that it would withdraw the earlier announced Ferry Boat fare hike, which was supposed to come into effect from 16th November 2023. This follows massive protest by Goans, specially the daily commuters of Ferry. The Official Notification of the WITHDRAWAL would come on Monday, November the 13th.
One of the most famous Mathematician of all times, Carl Gustav Jacobi had this famous quote : “Man Muss Immer Umkehren”, which when loosely translated means : Invert, Always Invert!
This was Carl Jacobi idea to solve some of the most trickiest problem! And still holds the most simple and elegant “tip” to the students of Mathematics.
Here, we analyse, from the principle of “Inversion”, what triggered the idea to raise the ferry fare, which this publication had earlier denounced as a very stupid idea.
The cost of operation of Ferry Boat all across Goa is mere Rs.4 Crores per annum.
The Annual State Budget of Goa is Rs.25,000 Crores. Now do the Math. How could running Ferry Boat would have been an existential burden on state Government?
The prudence of spend made by Government of Goa, has been questioned by all and sundry in Goa. There are at least 2 Dozens different kind of Festivals and Shows organised by State Government every year, for promotion of Tourism, which costs Crore of rupees.
In fact, a 2 Day Job Fair organised by the Labour Department of State Government costed Rs.2.6 Crores; which was still done to favour a crony company, without approvals from Finance Department. Now compare this with annual operational cost of Ferry Boat at Rs.4 Crores.
Everyday, there are at least 2 New Inauguration by Chief Ministers and his other compatriots; where at least half-a-dozen Ministers and crony MLAs travel to, at the cost of public exchequer; this includes daily salary and allowances, as well as travel cost. Most of these inaugurations are also advertised in state media, at the cost of Goans.
How much the State Government spends on these Inaugurations, is a very good but simple arithmetic exercise; and is certainly at least 10 times more than operational cost of Ferries.
We are not even talking about “White Elephants” like, the “Panjim Smart City Project”, the “G20 Meetings”; on which 950 + 300 Crores of Rupees have been spent; to no avail or benefit to any Goan.
Let’s talk about just the “G20 Meetings” conducted this year. It costed Rs.300 Crores; and provided not even an iota of benefit to Goans. Rs.300 Cores could provide easily for next 60 Years of Operations of Ferry Boat in Goa; figuring in inflation. Now, let us discuss who is stupid; Subhash Phaldesai the RND Minister or the State Government?
Subhash Phaldesai is not stupid. None of the MLAs or Ministers of Goa are.
They just want to grind their own axe, at the cost of Goa and Goans. And they need flimsy excuse like, “Revenue Gap”, “Leakages” and “Efficiency”; as if the entire state machinery is operating at 60% efficiency and the River Navigation Department is operating at -9%.
Now considering the state of man-power in the RND Department which operates Diesel Engine Powered Ferry Boats of almost Portuguese Era; it is a huge question that who would operate these new RoRo Ferry Boats?
Solar Powered Ferry Boat, which was bought either through an act of commission or perhaps after a drunken orgy by Subhash Phaldesai and inaugurated by Central Minister with a lot of fanfare for a cost of Rs.3.9 Crores, is now gathering moss and rats are feasting on its electrical wires.
Imagine this is the same Minister who is now advocating about plugging “leakages” etc. Insanity comes in all shapes and sizes. Imagine buying a piece of equipment, equal to your annual operational cost, without proper manpower in place; only Subhash Phaldesai can do this and then start preaching too.
The Truth Behind Rise in Ferry Boat Fares :
The RoRo Ferry Boat when they would have been introduced, would not have run by River Navigation Department, but by a crony enterprise from outside the state, which would have been awarded the contract. RND has no technical manpower to man these new age Boats; and it would have been a very valid argument, to provide the operation to a favoured company.
The company would definitely would not have run it on charity. Besides asking for a MG (Minimum Guarantee) with increased cost in operation; they would have definitely charged a considerable sum from the commuters as well. After all, Subhash Phaldesai has to also earn; and then that contractor.
But so far, Goans have been virtually travelling free on Ferry Boats (including Tourists), so a sudden introduction of increased fares with new Boats would have put a Hornet’s nest to shame, if not the Minister. After all, it is most difficult to break a habit. Ask any MLA, Minister of Goa.
So, the idea bulb lit up in Subhash “Solar” Phaldesai to introduce new increased fares for Ferry Boats, so that, by the time, new RoRo Ferry Boats are introduced, people have developed a new habit to pay for the convenience, they are utilising.
What you call a smooth entry!
Subhash Phaldesai found November an opportunity moment to announce the fare hike, after 2 big “Land Wins” for his constituents and supposedly Goans. He brokered the deals for the land of IIT Goa new campus and a Film City; both of which had little or no resistance.
The “Grand Withdrawal” by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of Ferry Boat fare hikes, has cut RND Minister Subhash Phaldesai to his size. So, it’s all Politics; always.
Sawant :1 ; Subhash : -9.
The Withdrawal of the Ferry Boat Fare Hike is a win for Goans and is a testament to the fact that, a “majority” garnered by the government through money power, does not give them the autocracy to do whatever they deem fit, under flimsy excuses; without looking underneath their polished garments, how many holes do they have in their underwear actually.
The nefarious plan defeated, and Subhash Phaldesai cut to size; it’s time on for next battle.