Goa has around 5k NGOs, most ‘not worthy’: Mauvin

Panaji: Transport minister Mauvin Godinho on Monday slammed NGOs for frequently opposing projects in the state, stating that the number of NGOs in Goa are 3,000 to 5,000, which is disproportionately high to the state’s population. Majority of the NGOs are not worthy, and none can be seen taking any issue they have been taken up to its logical conclusion, he said.
“Our population is 15 lakh and we have 3,000 to even 5,000 registered NGOs. Don’t you think this is too much for the population of Goa? You show me one case where a NGO has taken the issue to its logical conclusion. Why do they suddenly go silent after raising an issue for a while? What is the reason? It means they have some other intention. Some so-called NGOs have opened posh offices. How is it possible for them by just doing activism? This proves what is their intention,” said the minister.
Most of the NGOs are creating an atmosphere in the state where no one wants to invest their money in Goa, he said.
“Activism has to be there, NGOs have to be there. There are good ones. I am not painting everyone with the same brush, but most of them today are not worthy NGOs and not worthy activists. They want to oppose everything. Today they are creating conditions where no one wants to come to Goa. Do they want to worsen the situation further?” Godinho said.
He also said that app-based taxi system plan cannot be put off only because taxi owners are opposing it.
“If a child cries, it doesn’t mean we will stop sending her to school. Education is important so we have to send her, even if we may have to give her a slap. The same way we have to also convince taxi operators to embrace the app-based system,” said Godinho.
If the taxi business is not regulated, then Goa may lose its tourists to other equally good destinations with better connectivity. Infrastructure is being developed in areas like Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, which can easily attract Goa’s tourists there, said Godinho.
He also clarified on Monday that he had not said bar owners should pay for cab fare of drunk customers.
“I never said that. It is the customer who has to pay. Once the app-based taxi system is in place, the bar owners only have to make a call and get the cab for the customer, and the customer will pay the fare. It is safer. What is wrong in saying that?” said Godinho.