Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday articulated his coalition Government’s resolve to come down harshly on the increasing drug menace in the coastal State, linking it to increasing frustration among youth, who he said, were found wanting for direction.
Parrikar also announced that the State would be made plastic free within the next two years, while also adding that such a vision for plastic-free Goa by 2020 would only be possible with active co-operation of the residents of the State.
“I am saying this because, we are getting news from many quarters that drug proliferation has increased. I have given instruction to police, but I believe the reason for increase in drugs is frustration. If youth is direction-less they move in unwanted directions,” Parrikar said in his Independence Day speech delivered in the State capital on Tuesday morning.
Parrikar, who faces a bypoll on August 23, also said that his Government was firm on cracking down on rave parties, which are regularly held in the North Goa coastal belt, in which two young holidayers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu died due to suspected drug overdose on Sunday.
Goa, one of the top beach tourism destinations, is also emerging as a major centre for narco-tourism, with its coastal villages serving as a backdrop for drug-fueled rave parties and late music events, where Parrikar says, drugs are peddled.
“late night rave parties are illegal and it is where drugs are consumed and distributed. Rave parties on beaches or remote areas should be totally stopped,” Parrikar said.
While stating that the State police had been asked to act on intelligence-based drug cases, the Chief Minister said that the drug scenario was much more complex, as newer narcotic substances can be camouflaged.
Parrikar also linked the increasing drug menace in the State to rising frustration amongst Goan youth, who he said only hankered after white-collared jobs.
“In a place like Goa, employment will always remain an issue, but Goa one more question is added. Goans want white coloured jobs, we have forgotten dignity of labour... Everyone desk and clerical jobs. If in the coming years, we have to rein in the monster of unemployment, then we will have to instil dignity of labour,” Parrikar said.
The former Defence Minister also announced 2020 as the target for making Goa plastic free, but also said that such an ambition would only succeed if the State’s populace pitched in.
“There are many advantages to make Goa plastic free. There are health benefits and since Goa is a tourism centre, it will benefit tourism too. Garbage is dumped everywhere. Government will arrange for everything, but without co-operation from people. By 2020, we have resolved to make Goa plastic free,” Parrikar said.