What the socio-economic-political matrix says about poll-bound Goa
The political scenario in Goa has changed drastically in comparison to its 2012 assembly polls and may reach its crescendo in the upcoming polls
With campaigning drawing to a close in poll-bound Goa, most parties have focused on job creation, tourism development in their manifestos for the state, however, taking the socio-economic index of the state, clean water, sanitation needs prime attention. With drastic changes in political scenario since 2012 assembly polls, Goa gears up to elect a fresh government.
What has changed since 2012 in politics
The
political
scenario
in
Goa
has
changed
drastically
in
comparison
to
its
2012
assembly
polls.
As
much
as
other
parties
would
like
to
deny
it,
the
entry
of
Aam
Aadmi
Party
to
Goa
politics
has
changed
political
calculations.
The
primary
fight
between
Bharatiya
Janata
Party
and
Congress
no
longer
remains.
Another
party,
Goa
Forward,
has
also
made
inroads.
A
breakaway
of
the
Congress
in
Goa,
Goa
Forward
is
working
in
alliance.
While
its
purpose
was
to
divide
the
BJP
votes
in
its
bastions,
the
AAP
became
a
strong
contender.
Out
of
the
40
assembly
constituencies,
the
BJP
won
21,
the
Congress
9,
the
Maharashtravadi
Gomantak
won
3,
Goa
Vikas
party
won
2
and
5
seats
were
won
by
independents.
This
time
around
thanks
to
its
campaigning
strategies
and
choice
of
candidates,
the
AAP
remains
hopeful
of
victory.
Voters and their issues
For a state that is known for tourism, it was but natural that boost to tourism featured in manifestos of all parties, however, primary issues of drinking water and sanitation continue to bog down the state. Out of the 5.63 lakh, women and 5.45 lakh men voters 66.09 percent are Hindus, 25.11 percent are Christians and 8.34 percent are Muslims. Goa's literacy rate stands at 87 percent, much ahead of national average of 74 percent. Education of girls continues to remain a concern since female literacy rate stands at 81.8 percent as against male literacy rate of 92.8 percent.
Prime concerns in Goa, at least in the rural regions remains sanitation and drinking water. Leave alone keeping the casinos are getting rid of them from the Mandovi river, many Goans would be happy to receive regular potable water supply. Only about 88.6 percent of Goans have access to water supply by means of piped supply, tube well, bore well, hand pump, dug well etc. This is as against a national average of 91 percent. The difference is glaring. According to the 2013-14 government figures, Goa is way ahead of national average in improvised sanitation. close to 66.7 percent of the population has access to improvised sanitation while the national average is a disappointing 41.8 percent.
Over the last two years, Goa has been maintaining economic growth almost on par with the national average. According to PIB and RBI data. The growth in the service sector has been 8.64 percent while in industries sector, it has been an upward swing of 5.38 percent. The net domestic product growth has been calculated at 7.35 percent. The National Crime Records Bureau data from 2015 reveals that crime rate in Goa adds up to 0.1 percent of total cognizable crimes in the country. For a population of 1 lakh, rate of crime reported under sections of the IPC stands at 156.4 on an average according to NCRB reports.
OneIndia News