Panaji: The government must involve locals in the planning and policymaking process, Goencho Avaaz said on Monday as they slammed the Manohar Parrikar-led government for adopting policies which were detrimental for the state.The voluntary organisation said that corruption, drugs, crime and pollution were on the rise and that Goans needed to stand up for a “second liberation” in order to preserve Goa’s environment for future generations.“Officially, this government is trying to destroy the state. Goa has been divided into zones — gaming zone, party zone, drug zone, development zone,” the organisation’s co-convener Viriato Fernandes said.Activists seem irked that the state government has prepared a tourism masterplan that is designed for high-spending tourists without taking into consideration the locals’ sentiments.Goencho Avaaz has decided to organise a public meeting on December 19 at Mapusa taxi stand to highlight the problems the state is facing.The organisation has demanded that citizens be consulted when the policy for tourism, education, food or employment is implemented in the state.“Is there a well thought out education policy that will ensure a bright and secure future for our children?” co-convener Swapnesh Sherlekar asked.The activists have invited other regional organisations and well-meaning citizens for the public meeting to discuss Goa’s current predicament. “We will pass a resolution to free Goa from land sharks,” said Fernandes.

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