Blog: Bold Decisions, effective Strategy

Since May 1, every observer of the national scene must have noticed the bold decisions taken and the effective strategy adopted by Navin Ramgoolam. He is hitting the nail on the head by addressing real issues facing the people. With a new found confidence and a conviction of doing the right things.

The Prime Minister has taken the opposition by surprise with the speed with which he has set up the two commissions of enquiry. One on the sale by levy issue and the other on the prescription on land. Two sensitive issues. Even Salim Muthy and Harish Boodhoo had to acknowledge that Prime Minister means business by setting up these commissions soon after the Vacoas May 1 rally. Besides he has appointed persons of high calibre and integrity to preside and be members of these commissions.

The victims of sale by levy know how much they suffer from the injustice of the system. Albeit legally. When rains pour the banks are known to withdraw the umbrella. The interests on arrears on loans are charged with penalties on a compound basis. Nobody can get out and survive the icy strangling hands of the banks on the neck of their victims. The seizure and sale by levy of their property and collateral guarantees are bound to land into hands of sharks.

The lawyers, the attorneys, the officials of the banks, the courts are all doing their duty. In the process, the system inflicts unjust avoidable sufferings on the victims. The beneficiaries are the sharks. There is a consortium, a kind of cartel which operates in the system. With their thugs and power. They fix the price and share the booty. I am using harsh words but I know they are all true. The commission has an uphill task. I trust these men of high calibre and integrity to find a just solution to this unjust system.

The same applies for the victims of the prescription law. The truth and justice commission has found quite some irregularities and abuses of the prescription law. It has been used to grab the land of poor innocent people by powerful companies and persons. Of course the system has also helped genuine owners and their heirs to get title deeds. The commission will have to go deep into land ownership in the country. All illegal unjust grabbing of land should be reinstituted to the rightful owners and their heirs.

But the boldest decision the Prime Minister has taken is on the issue of abortion. Nobody had dared to come with a law to legalise abortion to alleviate the sufferings of mothers with unwanted babies. The law does not give a license to unscrupulous persons to make money. It just provides clean healthy facilities to women to make their own choice. Many deaths will be avoided.

It is a known fact that thousands of abortions take place in unhealthy circumstances. The Prime Minister deserves the support of all for this bold decision.

I wish to add that I respect the opposition of the Church for taking an anti abortion stand and prolife choice on account of their religious belief. I think religion should not be mixed with this issue. It should be considered as a prochoice health issue. Neither party should impose its conviction on the other party.

This reminds me of the stand taken by the church on family planning. The church wanted natural birth control and the state wanted control by scientific means. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam gave the choice to both methods. The rate of population growth was reduced from 3% to 1%. A world record. This is perhaps a single factor which has brought the prosperity we enjoy today. Similarly, I suggest, let us respect free choice by the people.

These bold decisions and effective strategy are in the interest of the people. In sharp contrast, with a sterile strategy of the opposition which before and after May 1 just want to bring down the government. The people are smarter. Day by day the government is emerging stronger on all fronts.