11/13/2026
THE GOA PEOPLE'S MANIFESTO
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A proposed public policy agenda for the next government of Goa
Our land. Our identity. Our environment. Our future.
PREAMBLE: WHAT KIND OF GOA DO WE WANT?
Goa stands at an important crossroads.
It has immense natural, cultural, social and economic wealth. Its forests, rivers, coastline, agricultural land, villages, heritage settlements and vibrant communities make it distinct. Its people have contributed across the world while preserving a unique identity and cultural heritage.
Yet, economic development alone cannot define progress.
Citizens must be able to afford a home, access good healthcare, receive quality education, find meaningful employment, travel conveniently, obtain clean drinking water, enjoy reliable electricity and live in a safe and healthy environment.
Our natural resources must not be depleted for short-term commercial gains. Our villages must not lose their character to unplanned construction. Our public infrastructure must not be overwhelmed by population and tourism pressures without corresponding investment.
We need a government that plans beyond election cycles, listens to citizens, respects scientific evidence, spends responsibly and remains accountable for its decisions.
This manifesto proposes a 20-year vision for Goa, supported by a practical five-year programme of governance.
It is a proposed people's agenda that every political party contesting the forthcoming Goa Assembly election should publicly address.
Our governing philosophy
We propose five fundamental principles:
Protect Goa: Preserve its land, forests, rivers, coastline, biodiversity, culture and identity.
Improve everyday life: Make essential public services accessible, dependable and affordable.
Empower citizens: Make government transparent, responsive, digitally accessible and accountable.
Build a sustainable economy: Develop quality employment, entrepreneurship, agriculture, responsible tourism and technology.
Secure future generations: Make every development decision mindful of environmental sustainability, fiscal responsibility and intergenerational equity.
PILLAR 1 — PROTECT GOA'S IDENTITY, LAND AND CONSTITUTIONAL INTERESTS
1. Special constitutional safeguards for Goa
Goa's historical, cultural, geographical and environmental identity deserves appropriate protection.
Article 371-I of the Constitution currently provides that Goa's Legislative Assembly shall consist of at least 30 members. A broader demand for safeguards concerning land and identity has previously received support through a Goa Legislative Assembly resolution adopted in 2008.
We demand that the next government:
Reopen the demand for special constitutional safeguards for Goa through a properly documented proposal to the Union Government.
Commission a constitutional and legal study identifying appropriate protections for Goa's limited land resources, heritage, traditional settlements, environmental assets and cultural identity.
Examine suitable constitutional, legislative and administrative models that are consistent with fundamental rights and the federal structure.
Establish a Goa Constitutional and Land Protection Commission comprising constitutional experts, environmental scientists, historians, town planners, economists and community representatives.
Publish the findings and proposed legal framework for public consultation.
Pursue the matter through formal representations to Parliament and the Union Government.
The 2013 request for special status was reported by the Union Government as not feasible at that time. A renewed proposal must therefore address the specific legal and constitutional considerations rather than merely repeat the earlier demand.
The objective is to protect Goa's interests and finite resources through a legally sustainable framework.
2. Land protection and responsible development
Land is one of Goa's most valuable and limited resources. Its use must be governed by long-term public interest rather than uncontrolled speculation.
We demand:
Strict enforcement of applicable Regional Plans, Outline Development Plans and land-use regulations.
Protection of agricultural land, forests, khazan land, wetlands, village settlements and ecologically sensitive areas.
Transparent disclosure of land conversions and zoning changes.
Public access to land-use maps, building permissions and major development proposals.
Cumulative environmental and infrastructure assessments before significant development approvals.
Transparent procedures for government land transfers and disposal.
Action against illegal land conversion, encroachment and unauthorised construction.
A digital public register of major land-use changes and approved developments.
Changes to land-use classification must be supported by public consultation, transparent reasons and independent technical assessment.
3. Dual citizenship and the rights of the Goan diaspora
The historical connection between Goa and Portugal has created distinctive citizenship and documentation concerns for many Goan families.
The issue deserves a comprehensive and legally accurate government response.
We demand:
Establish a Goan Diaspora and Nationality Assistance Cell.
Provide legal assistance concerning Portuguese civil registration, ancestry records, nationality applications and Indian citizenship.
Simplify access to legitimate archival records, including historical birth, baptism, marriage and civil-registration documents.
Represent Goan-origin families' concerns to the Union Government.
Request an examination of possible lawful arrangements concerning historical nationality, diaspora mobility and family connections.
Improve consular coordination and access to reliable information.
Publish an annual report identifying administrative barriers faced by Goans living abroad and their families.
Indian citizenship is governed by central legislation. The Goa Government cannot independently grant dual Indian citizenship, and OCI is not equivalent to dual citizenship.
The manifesto must therefore pursue this demand through the appropriate Union-level legislative and diplomatic processes, without making promises that the State cannot legally fulfil.
PILLAR 2 — GREEN GOA: PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND CONTROL CONCRETE DEVELOPMENT
4. A new green-space standard for residential development
Development should not mean covering every available square metre of land with concrete.
Every residential development should contribute to groundwater recharge, tree cover, natural ventilation, biodiversity and a healthier living environment.
We propose a statewide Green Plot and Permeable Surface Policy.
Proposed residential development standards:
Minimum 30% of the total plot area should remain as genuine, unbuilt, permeable green space in new residential developments, subject to planning classifications and plot-size considerations.
A 40% green-space target should apply to larger plots, designated low-density green residential zones and ecologically sensitive development areas.
Existing lawful developments should be encouraged through incentives and retrofit programmes.
Small plots and constrained redevelopment sites should have appropriately designed alternatives that do not compromise essential ecological protections.
Natural soil, native trees, rain gardens and permeable landscaped areas should qualify.
Artificial turf, excessive paving, rooftop structures and decorative concrete surfaces should not be counted as genuine ground-level green cover.
This policy must be incorporated into the applicable town-planning and building regulations through transparent statutory procedures.
Development must provide for nature, not merely occupy land.
5. Control construction density and prevent concrete jungles
We demand:
Strict enforcement of approved zoning and development plans.
Restrictions on excessive building density where public infrastructure is inadequate.
No major development approvals without demonstrated water, electricity, sewage, road and drainage capacity.
Protection of hill slopes, natural drainage channels, wetlands and biodiversity corridors.
Transparent disclosure of development permissions and building violations.
Mandatory environmental and infrastructure impact assessments for large developments.
Strong action against illegal construction and unauthorised land conversion.
Independent inspection of major projects.
Protection of traditional village settlements and heritage landscapes.
Public access to the reasons and technical assessments supporting major planning decisions.
The cumulative impact of multiple developments must be assessed, rather than considering every individual approval in isolation.
6. Micro-Green Goa: Green spaces within walking distance
Green spaces must become an integral part of everyday community life.
We demand a Micro-Green Goa Programme covering urban wards, towns and villages.
Its commitments should include:
Neighbourhood parks and community gardens.
Small urban forests using native tree species.
Green spaces around government buildings and educational institutions.
Tree-lined streets and shaded pedestrian routes.
Restoration of village ponds, springs and natural water bodies.
Green corridors along selected roads, rivers and drainage channels.
Community-maintained gardens and biodiversity patches.
Incentives for residential societies and businesses adopting green-space programmes.
A public inventory of trees and urban green cover.
Annual monitoring of tree survival and green-space maintenance.
Every urban ward and suitable village cluster should have access to a public neighbourhood green space within a reasonable walking distance.
7. Protect forests, biodiversity and wildlife
Goa's forests are essential to water security, climate resilience, biodiversity and public health.
We demand:
Strict enforcement of forest and wildlife protection legislation.
Protection of wildlife corridors and ecologically sensitive habitats.
Satellite-based monitoring of forest loss and illegal encroachment.
Transparent environmental clearances and compliance monitoring.
Restoration of degraded forests using ecologically appropriate native species.
Protection of mangroves, wetlands and coastal ecosystems.
Community participation in biodiversity conservation.
Stronger protection of endangered and vulnerable species.
Regular biodiversity and ecological assessments.
Public disclosure of forest restoration expenditure and outcomes.
We should implement the Goa State Action Plan on Climate Change 2023–2033 and complete, resource and implement the Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan through transparent consultation.
8. Responsible mining and rehabilitation of affected regions
Mining must operate within legal, environmental and social limits.
We demand:
Transparent disclosure of mining leases, production and transport records.
Monitoring of environmental clearances and operating conditions.
Strict action against illegal mining and unauthorised extraction.
Independent monitoring of air, soil and water quality in mining-affected villages.
Scientific mine-closure and restoration plans.
Financial restoration guarantees and polluter accountability.
Transparent utilisation of District Mineral Foundation funds.
Independent assessment of affected agricultural and forest areas.
Restoration of degraded streams, land and natural habitats.
Participation of affected village communities in mining-related decisions.
Mining-related revenue must contribute to long-term regional development, environmental restoration and alternative livelihoods.
9. Climate resilience and disaster preparedness
Goa is vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion, extreme rainfall, heat stress and changes in rainfall patterns.
We demand:
Implement the Goa State Action Plan on Climate Change 2023–2033.
Map flood-prone areas and coastal vulnerability.
Protect natural drainage channels and floodplains.
Prevent construction that obstructs natural water flow.
Restore mangroves, wetlands and coastal vegetation.
Improve urban stormwater drainage.
Strengthen early-warning systems.
Prepare village-level disaster response plans.
Promote climate-resilient agriculture.
Integrate climate risk into infrastructure and land-use approvals.
Development projects must be assessed for their long-term exposure to climate risks.
PILLAR 3 — WATER, RIVERS, SANITATION AND ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
10. Goa Water Security and River Restoration Mission
Water must be treated as an essential public resource.
The objective should be reliable drinking water, healthy rivers, protected groundwater and long-term water security.
We demand a comprehensive ten-year Goa Water Security Mission.
Drinking water
Reliable year-round drinking-water supply.
District and taluka-level water-security plans.
Modernisation of treatment plants, storage facilities and distribution infrastructure.
Identification and repair of major pipeline leakage.
Better monitoring of distribution losses.
Protection of groundwater recharge zones.
Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
Restoration of village wells, ponds, springs and traditional water systems.
Contingency arrangements for seasonal shortages.
Water quality
Test drinking water at source, treatment plant, distribution network and household delivery points.
Publish monthly water-quality information, including:
Bacterial contamination.
Chemical contaminants.
Turbidity.
Residual disinfectant levels.
Relevant heavy metals.
Compliance with applicable drinking-water standards.
Affected locations and corrective actions.
Where contamination occurs, notify residents promptly and provide alternative safe drinking water until the issue is resolved.
River restoration
Establish a Goa River Restoration Programme covering:
Mandovi.
Zuari.
Sal.
Chapora.
Tiracol.
Terekhol and other rivers and streams.
Associated wetlands, estuaries and catchment areas.
Priorities should include pollution prevention, sewage interception, ecological restoration and protection of riparian zones.
Mhadei and interstate water security
Pursue Goa's water interests through lawful interstate, tribunal, court and Union Government processes.
The State must:
Maintain transparent hydrological data.
Strengthen scientific monitoring of river flows and catchments.
Protect forests and recharge zones.
Publish progress on legal and institutional proceedings.
Engage technical and legal experts.
Inform citizens through periodic public reports.
Water security must be addressed through sound scientific evidence, environmental protection and lawful institutional processes.
11. Sewage, drainage and sanitation for every settlement
Goa must eliminate untreated sewage entering rivers, fields, wetlands and coastal waters.
We demand:
Expand sewerage networks wherever technically and economically appropriate.
Establish decentralised sewage treatment systems for villages and settlements not suited to central networks.
Upgrade existing sewage treatment facilities.
Ensure treated wastewater complies with prescribed standards.
Introduce licensed septic tank desludging and safe faecal sludge management.
Monitor sewage tanker transportation through digital tracking.
Prevent illegal discharge of untreated sewage.
Reuse treated wastewater for non-potable purposes.
Introduce comprehensive stormwater drainage plans.
Publish sewage generation, treatment capacity, actual treatment and compliance data.
Every taluka must have a practical sewage and sanitation implementation plan.
12. Scientific solid waste management
A clean Goa requires permanent waste-management infrastructure.
We demand:
Household segregation.
Reliable doorstep collection.
Decentralised composting.
Material recovery facilities.
Scientific treatment and disposal of residual waste.
Dedicated construction and demolition waste facilities.
E-waste collection and recycling.
Safe biomedical waste disposal.
Remediation of legacy dumping sites.
Enforcement against illegal dumping and open burning.
Waste-treatment capacity must account for seasonal tourist demand.
Panchayats and municipalities must publish waste-collection schedules, processing quantities, treatment performance and expenditure.
PILLAR 4 — RELIABLE ELECTRICITY, ROADS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
13. Reliable power supply and adequate sanctioned load
Electricity should be dependable for households, small businesses, industries, hospitals and educational institutions.
We demand a statewide electricity distribution improvement programme.
Its commitments should include:
Audit the distribution network and identify overloaded transformers and substations.
Replace ageing infrastructure.
Improve voltage stability.
Reduce avoidable outages.
Publish planned maintenance schedules.
Introduce digital outage reporting.
Establish time-bound service standards for new connections and sanctioned-load enhancement.
Make connection charges and approval requirements transparent.
Introduce automated fault detection and smart-grid systems.
Improve solar integration, distributed generation and battery storage.
Encourage rooftop solar and appropriate renewable-energy installations.
Improve electricity access for emerging businesses and technology enterprises.
New large developments must demonstrate that adequate electricity infrastructure is available.
The government must publish subdivision-level indicators covering outages, voltage quality, complaint resolution and infrastructure capacity.
14. Roads, pedestrian infrastructure and road safety
Road development must prioritise safety, accessibility and maintenance.
We demand:
Regular road-condition audits.
Transparent road construction and maintenance contracts.
Public disclosure of project costs and completion status.
Repair of dangerous road sections.
Identification and correction of accident black spots.
Continuous footpaths in urban and high-footfall areas.
Safe pedestrian crossings.
Traffic calming near schools, hospitals and residential areas.
Improved cycling infrastructure where appropriate.
Better street lighting.
Accessible streets for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The Goa Road Safety Policy 2025 should be implemented through measurable reduction in fatalities and serious injuries.
15. A dependable and integrated public transport system
Public transportation must be a genuine alternative to private vehicles.
We demand a statewide integrated public mobility plan.
Kadamba and bus services
Expand the operational fleet according to passenger demand.
Increase village-to-town connectivity.
Improve connections to hospitals, colleges, markets, railway stations and employment centres.
Introduce early-morning and late-evening routes.
Provide suitable services for students and shift workers.
Increase frequency on busy corridors.
Ensure essential services to underserved villages.
Introduce smaller vehicles for narrow roads where practical.
Integrate eligible private and public bus operators.
Introduce common route information, digital ticketing and real-time tracking.
Proposed service objectives
Following a route and passenger-demand audit:
15–20-minute peak-hour frequency on suitable major corridors.
Approximately 30-minute services on selected high-demand off-peak routes.
Reliable morning and evening connections on essential rural feeder routes.
Published minimum daily service standards for underserved settlements.
Integrated mobility
Improve ferry services.
Coordinate with railway services.
Introduce convenient last-mile transport.
Improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Develop integrated ticketing arrangements.
Provide accessible transport for persons with disabilities.
Improve safety for women and vulnerable passengers.
Transport performance must be measured through actual bus availability, service frequency, missed trips, affordability and passenger satisfaction—not merely the number of vehicles purchased.
PILLAR 5 — HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY
16. Universal access to quality public healthcare
Every citizen should have access to quality healthcare irrespective of income or location.
We demand a comprehensive reform of public health services.
Primary and secondary healthcare
Strengthen primary health centres and community health centres.
Provide adequate medical staff and essential medicines.
Improve diagnostic and laboratory facilities.
Increase specialist availability.
Strengthen ambulance and emergency-response services.
Improve district-level hospital capacity.
Establish functional intensive-care services where required.
Improve maternal and child healthcare.
Expand preventive screening.
Tertiary care
Improve Goa Medical College infrastructure.
Strengthen specialist departments.
Improve emergency and critical-care capacity.
Reduce unnecessary referrals outside the State.
Improve affordable access to diagnostic procedures and treatment.
Healthcare workforce
Establish transparent recruitment and retention policies.
Priorities include:
Doctors and specialists.
Nurses.
Laboratory professionals.
Radiology and diagnostic technicians.
Emergency medical staff.
Mental-health professionals.
Publish vacancies, recruitment progress and facility-level staffing data.
Mental health and addiction treatment
Increase access to professional mental-health services.
Strengthen counselling and psychiatric care.
Expand addiction-treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
Provide family support.
Introduce school and college mental-health programmes.
Improve suicide-prevention services.
Elderly and vulnerable citizens
Introduce an integrated elderly-care programme covering:
Accessible healthcare.
Home-based care.
Rehabilitation services.
Long-term care facilities.
Geriatric services.
Financial and social assistance.
A fresh healthcare infrastructure assessment must be published, followed by annual performance reviews.
PILLAR 6 — EDUCATION, AI AND FUTURE-READY EMPLOYMENT
17. Reform education for the next generation
Education must develop knowledge, creativity, critical thinking and practical capability.
We demand:
Strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy.
Improve teacher recruitment and professional development.
Provide well-equipped science laboratories and libraries.
Strengthen vocational and technical education.
Introduce financial literacy and entrepreneurship education.
Develop career counselling in secondary schools.
Improve industry-academia collaboration.
Strengthen special education and accessibility.
Promote Konkani and other local languages alongside English and other languages.
Improve higher education research and innovation opportunities.
Education outcomes should be measured through learning achievements and employability rather than infrastructure expenditure alone.
18. AI-assisted education and digital learning
Goa should become a leader in responsible AI-assisted teaching.
We propose a Goa AI Education Programme.
It should include:
AI-assisted personalised learning.
Individual student progress tracking.
Intelligent revision and practice tools.
Teacher-assisted lesson planning.
Multilingual educational resources.
Konkani language learning resources.
Virtual laboratories and simulations.
Coding, computational thinking and AI literacy.
Digital skills for teachers.
Access to quality digital educational material in rural schools.
AI should support teachers and students, not replace human educators.
Safeguards must protect student privacy, prevent algorithmic discrimination and ensure that critical educational decisions remain under qualified human supervision.
Every school must have appropriate connectivity, devices and teacher training before advanced digital learning is introduced.
19. Prepare Goan youth for future employment
The government must connect education to meaningful local employment.
We demand:
Technology and AI skill-development programmes.
Apprenticeships and practical industry training.
Better coordination between educational institutions and employers.
Support for professional certifications.
Local entrepreneurship and startup support.
Innovation and research funding.
Incubation facilities.
Remote-work infrastructure.
Digital and technology entrepreneurship programmes.
Priority sectors should include software, AI, marine technology, engineering, financial technology, research, creative industries and sustainable services.
The objective must be to give young Goans reasons and opportunities to build their future in Goa.
PILLAR 7 — A DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY AND AFFORDABLE LIVING
20. Sustainable tourism that benefits local communities
Tourism must contribute to Goa's economy without destroying the natural and social foundations on which it depends.
We demand a transition towards sustainable, community-beneficial tourism.
Tourism reforms
Scientific carrying-capacity assessments for major destinations.
Better regulation of unregistered tourism operations.
Investment in tourism-related water and sanitation infrastructure.
Improved waste management in tourist clusters.
Protection of beaches, rivers, forests and heritage villages.
Promotion of responsible tourism.
Stronger local participation in tourism planning.
Better visitor safety.
Encouragement of locally owned accommodation and services.
Greater local sourcing of agricultural and artisanal products.
Diversification
Promote:
Eco-tourism.
Village tourism.
Heritage tourism.
Agricultural tourism.
Nature and biodiversity experiences.
Responsible trekking.
Local cultural experiences.
Community-operated tourism initiatives.
Tourism development must be assessed through ecological sustainability, local economic benefits and infrastructure capacity, not merely visitor numbers.
21. Revive agriculture and protect traditional livelihoods
Agriculture is part of Goa's culture, environment, food security and economic identity.
We demand:
Implement the Goa State Amritkal Agriculture Policy 2025.
Protect paddy fields, khazan lands and agricultural zones.
Prevent illegal filling and conversion of agricultural land.
Improve irrigation and drainage.
Promote local food production.
Encourage young people to enter modern agriculture.
Improve cold storage and food-processing facilities.
Promote cooperative farming.
Improve direct farmer-to-consumer markets.
Introduce better crop insurance and risk-management support.
Encourage suitable organic and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Strengthen agricultural research and extension services.
The government should measure agricultural land under cultivation, farmer incomes, agricultural productivity and the viability of traditional farming.
22. Protect fisheries and coastal livelihoods
Goa's fishing communities require long-term protection.
We demand:
Better fishing harbour and landing facilities.
Modern cold storage and marketing infrastructure.
Protection of marine biodiversity.
Sustainable fishing practices.
Action against illegal fishing.
Protection of traditional fishing rights.
Monitoring of coastal developments that affect fishing livelihoods.
Stronger disaster protection for coastal communities.
Support for fish-processing enterprises.
Scientific assessment of coastal and marine pollution.
Blue-economy development must benefit local communities without compromising marine ecosystems.
23. Affordable housing and responsible real-estate development
Goa must remain affordable for residents, workers and young families.
We demand:
Dedicated affordable-housing programmes.
Appropriate rental housing for working residents.
Housing opportunities for young professionals and essential-service workers.
Better transparency in property development.
Protection of traditional houses and community settlements.
Stronger enforcement against fraudulent property practices.
Review of speculative and unplanned development.
Redevelopment strategies that avoid unnecessary displacement.
Publicly accessible housing affordability data.
Any government-supported housing programme must account for infrastructure availability, land costs and long-term affordability.
24. Control the rising cost of living
Everyday living must remain affordable.
We propose a Goa Cost of Living and Consumer Protection Programme.
Essential commodities
Publish a taluka-wise essential commodity price dashboard.
Monitor prices of food, vegetables, fish and basic household necessities.
Improve fair-price-shop availability.
Strengthen action against adulteration and illegal hoarding.
Support cooperative purchasing and distribution.
Improve agricultural supply chains.
Promote direct farmer-to-consumer marketplaces.
Strengthen local food production.
Household affordability
Publish quarterly information covering:
Essential food prices.
Residential rental costs.
Electricity and water expenses.
Healthcare expenditure.
Education costs.
Public transport expenses.
Policy interventions should focus on improved supply, competition, consumer protection, targeted assistance and local production rather than broad, financially unsustainable price controls.
PILLAR 8 — PUBLIC SAFETY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ANTI-DRUG REFORMS
25. Safer neighbourhoods and stronger policing
Public safety is essential to quality of life.
We demand:
Better police staffing and professional training.
Improved investigation and forensic capacity.
Stronger action against organised crime.
Better coastal surveillance and inter-agency coordination.
Improved cybercrime investigation.
Protection against online financial fraud.
Better public lighting and neighbourhood safety.
Improved emergency-response services.
Dedicated support for victims of crime.
Better safety for women, children, senior citizens and tourists.
Stronger police accountability.
Periodic publication of crime statistics and investigation outcomes.
Public confidence requires fair, professional and transparent policing.
26. Comprehensive anti-drug strategy
Drug-related issues require coordinated prevention, enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation.
We propose a Goa Anti-Drug Prevention and Enforcement Programme.
Enforcement
Strengthen anti-narcotics investigation capacity.
Improve coordination with central agencies.
Focus on trafficking networks and organised distribution.
Strengthen financial investigation and asset tracing.
Improve intelligence and forensic capabilities.
Monitor vulnerable transport and distribution channels.
Publish seizure, investigation, prosecution and conviction data.
Prevention
School and college awareness programmes.
Confidential counselling.
Early intervention.
Family support programmes.
Community-level prevention initiatives.
Public awareness based on verified information.
Rehabilitation
Accessible detoxification and treatment.
Professional addiction counselling.
Rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
Employment and skills support after recovery.
Family counselling.
Community-based recovery assistance.
Enforcement should focus on organised trafficking and commercial distribution, while people experiencing substance-use disorders should have access to appropriate medical and social support.
The performance of the programme must be measured by reduced drug availability, disruption of supply networks, prevention, recovery and successful rehabilitation, not merely by arrests.
PILLAR 9 — DIGITAL DEMOCRACY AND EASE OF GOVERNANCE
27. One Goa Citizen Services Platform
Government services should be accessible without unnecessary office visits, repeated paperwork or uncertainty about application status.
We propose a unified Goa Citizen Services Platform.
It should integrate services from:
Panchayats.
Municipalities.
Revenue departments.
Land and property offices.
Public works.
Electricity.
Water supply.
Healthcare.
Education.
Transport.
Social welfare.
Other citizen-facing departments.
Essential features
One citizen service account, with secure authentication.
A common application reference number.
Published processing timelines.
Digital document submission.
Reuse of previously submitted government records where legally permissible.
Online application tracking.
Automatic reminders and escalations.
Digital certificates and records where legally permitted.
Online appeals and grievance submission.
Multilingual and accessible interfaces.
The platform must operate as a genuine service-delivery system, not just another government information portal.
28. Official social and online platforms as citizen engagement channels
Government should actively communicate with citizens through verified websites, mobile applications, WhatsApp, email, helplines and social media.
Official online channels must allow citizens to report public-service problems.
Examples include:
Potholes and damaged roads.
Waste dumping.
Broken streetlights.
Water contamination.
Water-supply disruptions.
Electricity outages.
Illegal construction.
Damaged public infrastructure.
Public transport complaints.
Environmental violations.
Citizen complaint standards
Proposed minimum standards:
These standards should be supported by department-specific service levels rather than a single unrealistic deadline for every type of complaint.
Social media should be an accessible entry point, not the permanent storage location of personal complaints. Each complaint must enter a secure government case-management system and receive a traceable reference number.
The system must support Konkani, Marathi and English, with voice-assisted options and physical service centres for people who cannot access digital services.
Privacy, cybersecurity and protection against misuse of citizen data must be mandatory.
29. Government at your doorstep
Digital services alone are insufficient.
We demand:
Village-level government service centres.
Regular public service camps.
Mobile service units for remote areas.
Dedicated assistance for senior citizens.
Accessible services for persons with disabilities.
Time-bound processing of certificates and documents.
Transparent application and appeal procedures.
Government services should be designed around citizens' convenience, not administrative convenience.
30. Strengthen panchayats and municipal governance
Local governments must have the authority and resources to manage local problems.
The CAG's performance audit of Goa's implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment examined the period 2016–17 to 2020–21 and assessed the devolution of functions, funds and functionaries to urban local bodies.
We demand:
Meaningful devolution of local responsibilities.
Adequate financial resources.
Professional municipal and panchayat staffing.
Participatory local budgeting.
Regular ward and village consultations.
Public disclosure of local development expenditure.
Social audits of major community projects.
Better coordination between State departments and local authorities.
Clear accountability for local service delivery.
Implementation reviews of CAG recommendations.
Every panchayat and municipality must have a publicly accessible local development and service-delivery plan.
PILLAR 10 — TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT AND RESPONSIBLE PUBLIC FINANCES
31. A five-year public governance contract
A manifesto must become an implementation contract between elected representatives and citizens.
Every department must publish its commitments, performance indicators, timelines and funding requirements.
We demand a public Goa Government Performance Dashboard.
It should display:
Department-wise commitments.
Budget allocation and expenditure.
Project costs.
Implementation status.
Delayed projects and reasons.
Responsible departments.
Service-level performance.
Citizen complaints.
Environmental compliance.
Independent audit findings.
32. Transparent procurement and prevention of corruption
Public money must be spent efficiently and transparently.
We demand:
Public disclosure of major government tenders.
Digital procurement and contract tracking.
Publication of awarded contract values.
Disclosure of approved and revised project costs.
Publication of project extensions and delays.
Clear conflict-of-interest requirements.
Independent engineering and financial assessments.
Stronger vigilance and whistleblower protections.
Timely investigation of credible corruption complaints.
Public reporting of action taken on audit objections.
Large projects must have transparent cost-benefit assessments and lifecycle maintenance plans.
33. Independent assessment of government performance
Establish a Goa Public Governance and Performance Review Framework.
The framework should include:
Annual departmental performance assessments.
Independent technical evaluation.
Social audits.
Public hearings.
Legislative scrutiny.
Citizen satisfaction surveys.
Transparent action-taken reports on audit findings.
The Comptroller and Auditor General must continue exercising its constitutional audit responsibilities. Any additional performance-review mechanism must complement, not duplicate or compromise, existing constitutional and statutory institutions.
Citizens should be able to assess the government's performance without depending solely on government publicity.
34. Fiscal discipline and sustainable development
Every manifesto commitment must be financially credible.
PRS Legislative Research's analysis of the Goa Budget 2026–27 records a budgeted fiscal deficit of approximately 3.4% of GSDP and estimated outstanding liabilities of 29.3% of GSDP at the end of that financial year. These are budget estimates, not final audited actuals.
The next government must therefore ensure that new commitments are affordable and sustainable.
We demand that every major policy proposal disclose:
Capital expenditure.
Annual operating expenditure.
Maintenance costs.
Proposed source of funding.
Expected social and economic benefits.
Long-term financial liabilities.
Implementation timeline.
Priorities should include:
Preventive maintenance of existing infrastructure.
Completion of delayed public projects.
Avoidance of wasteful expenditure.
Transparent reporting of public-sector and off-budget liabilities.
Better utilisation of centrally sponsored schemes.
Public-private partnerships only where they provide demonstrable public value.
Appropriate financial allocations for environmental restoration.
Long-term infrastructure planning.
No project without a demonstrated public need. No expenditure without transparency. No promise without an implementation and funding plan.
THE FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME
The manifesto must distinguish what the government will initiate immediately, what it will complete during its first year and what it will deliver over its five-year term.
First 100 days
Publish a Goa State Infrastructure and Public Services Baseline Report.
Establish a central manifesto implementation unit.
Begin statewide water, sewage and electricity infrastructure audits.
Publish a land-use and development permissions transparency plan.
Initiate the green-space and construction regulation review.
Establish the Goa Citizen Services Platform project.
Publish healthcare workforce and infrastructure baselines.
Conduct a statewide public transport route and operational fleet audit.
Publish environmental and climate vulnerability priorities.
Release a five-year public expenditure and implementation framework.
First 12 months
Publish the Goa Green Development and Land Protection Framework.
Launch the citizen grievance and services platform.
Publish taluka-wise water and sanitation plans.
Publish a public electricity reliability and capacity report.
Introduce public transport service standards.
Prepare a healthcare workforce and hospital improvement plan.
Launch AI-assisted teacher training and pilot learning programmes.
Complete tourism carrying-capacity assessments for priority destinations.
Publish a green-cover and urban tree inventory.
Prepare an agricultural and fisheries livelihood development plan.
Introduce the essential commodity price-monitoring dashboard.
Publish the first annual government performance report.
By the end of five years
The government must demonstrate measurable improvement in:
Safe and reliable drinking-water supply.
Wastewater treatment and sanitation.
Solid-waste processing.
Electricity reliability.
Public transport accessibility and reliability.
Hospital capacity and healthcare workforce availability.
Student learning and technical skills.
Affordable housing and local employment.
Forest, biodiversity and wetland protection.
Agricultural land preservation.
Green cover and permeable urban spaces.
Tourism sustainability.
Public safety and drug rehabilitation outcomes.
Citizen service delivery and grievance resolution.
Transparency in government expenditure.
Every target must be supported by an independently verifiable baseline and annual milestones.
THE GOA CITIZEN DEVELOPMENT SCORECARD
Every political party should be asked to publish a five-year commitment against the same public indicators.
The scorecard must be published annually and made available to citizens in an understandable format.
OUR NON-NEGOTIABLE COMMITMENTS
The next government must publicly commit to:
Protect Goa's identity and pursue appropriate constitutional safeguards.
Protect agricultural land, forests, biodiversity and traditional settlements.
Make 30% green and permeable space the proposed minimum for eligible new residential plots, with 40% targets in designated categories.
Prevent uncontrolled and infrastructure-deficient construction.
Restore rivers, wetlands, khazans, mangroves and natural water systems.
Ensure safe and dependable drinking water.
Provide scientific sewage and waste management.
Improve electricity reliability and sanctioned-load availability.
Build accessible and dependable public transport.
Strengthen public healthcare and social security.
Modernise education through quality teaching and responsible AI adoption.
Create meaningful local employment opportunities.
Promote responsible tourism and diversify the economy.
Protect agriculture and fishing livelihoods.
Improve housing and household affordability.
Address organised crime and drug trafficking while expanding prevention and rehabilitation.
Make government services accessible through an integrated citizen platform.
Empower panchayats and municipalities.
Ensure transparent procurement and expenditure.
Publish independently verifiable annual government performance reports.
THE GOA WE WANT TO HAND OVER TO THE NEXT GENERATION
Goa is more than a tourism destination, a real-estate market or a source of revenue from its natural resources.
It is home to its people.
Its forests sustain its rivers. Its rivers sustain its communities. Its agricultural fields preserve its heritage and contribute to food security. Its villages represent living histories. Its coastline, biodiversity and cultural traditions are assets that cannot simply be replaced with financial compensation.
We must recognise that development without planning creates costs that future generations will have to bear.
A developed Goa should mean:
A child can receive quality education without being disadvantaged by where the family lives.
An elderly person can access affordable and reliable healthcare.
A working family can find an affordable home.
A young person can pursue a meaningful career without being forced to leave Goa.
A citizen can travel conveniently without depending entirely on a private vehicle.
A household can access clean water and reliable electricity.
A farmer can earn a dignified livelihood.
A fishing community can continue its traditional occupation sustainably.
A business can operate with predictable rules and efficient administration.
A resident can report a public problem and receive a meaningful response.
A visitor can experience Goa without damaging the natural and cultural environment.
A future generation can inherit a Goa that is at least as ecologically rich and liveable as the one we have today.
Our final appeal
We call upon all political parties, elected representatives, independent candidates, civil society organisations, professional associations, environmental groups, village communities, young people and concerned citizens to take ownership of this agenda.
We request every political party to:
Publish its position on each of these policy commitments.
Identify the proposals it accepts, modifies or rejects.
Provide estimated costs and funding sources.
State which department or institution will be responsible.
Commit to annual public reporting.
Allow citizens to monitor performance throughout the elected term.
This should not remain the manifesto of any one political party. It should become a common reference point for public discussion and democratic accountability.
We do not need development at any cost. We need development that creates lasting public value.
We do not need a Goa that merely looks prosperous. We need a Goa in which ordinary people can live prosperous, secure and dignified lives.
Let Goa progress without losing its identity.
Let Goa prosper without destroying its environment.
Let Goa welcome the world without compromising the interests of its people.
Let government be measured by the quality of life it delivers, not merely by the promises it makes.
GOA IS OUR HOME. ITS FUTURE IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY.
This is the Goa we want. This is the governance we expect. This is the commitment we ask every political party to make.
RESEARCH AND POLICY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The following documents provide the legal, institutional, financial and policy foundation for this proposed manifesto. Historical audit periods and draft policy documents must be distinguished from present-day implementation status.
Constitutional and land protection
Goa Legislative Assembly – Special status resolution, 29 August 2008.
Union Government response on Goa's special-status request, 2016.
Goa Town and Country Planning Department – Land Development and Building Construction Regulations.
Citizenship and diaspora
Environment, climate and biodiversity
Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030 – Consultation draft.
Ministry of Environment – State Action Plan on Climate Change.
Agriculture and transport
Governance and public expenditure
CAG Report No. 2 of 2024 – Implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment in Goa. The audit covers 2016–17 to 2020–21.
CAG Report No. 4 of 2024 – Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services in Goa.
CAG Report No. 4 of 2025 – Solid Waste Management and other compliance audits. The relevant waste audit examines 2017–18 to 2021–22 in selected urban local bodies.
Document status: Proposed citizens' manifesto and policy framework. The green-space percentages, service-level commitments and five-year goals are proposals for public debate, technical assessment and legislative adoption, not statements of existing legal requirements.