BJP has covered much ground, but will its flag fly high?

HEADING

BJP has covered much ground, but will its flag fly high?

INTRO

In all probability, the Mayem evacuee property issue will be one of the major poll planks for the ensuing 2017 assembly election and decide the popularity of the BJP government

Mayem was initially part of Bicholim constituency, but was later elevated into a constituency of its own following delimitation. The constituency is most famous for its temples and the Mayem Lake, which attracts lakhs of visitors to the constituency annually.

Various political parties have represented Mayem over the years and development has progressed at slow pace, but many issues affecting people in the constituency have remained pending for several years.

Mayem constituency consists of seven village panchayats - Mayem, Pilgao, Narvem, Shirgao, Ona-Maulingem, Karapur-Sarvan and Chorao.

People in Mayem constituency had largely depended on two main forms of economic activity, mining and agriculture. An increase in mining activity after Liberation prompted many farmers to abandon their fields and embrace mining-related jobs. However, a recent halt in mining activity compelled many of them to return to their fields. What has also added interest in farming activities are the government schemes to promote agriculture and new technologies to boost production.

Other main occupations include government service, private employment and small scale business activities. Some migrant labourers have also become a part and parcel of economic activity in Mayem constituency.

Mayem constituency consists of 26,429 voters, comprising 13,117 male and 13,312 female voters. About 90 per cent of voters in Mayem constituency are from the Hindu community, with the remaining being from the Catholic and Muslim communities.

Among the Hindus, the dominant communities are Bhandari and Kshatriya, with a sizeable population of Daivadnya Brahmin, Vishwakarma Brahmins (Chari), Vaishya, Saraswat Brahmins, Konkanastha Brahmins, Dravid Brahmins and SC/ST.

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CHALLENGES

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While main issues are specific to different villages, Mayem constituency in general lacks a police outpost and has to depend on the Bicholim police station. There is only one sub-health centre for the entire constituency, compelling people to seek medical treatment elsewhere in the taluka and district.

The absence of an industrial estate in Mayem constituency has led to demands for an IT project on vast land that is lying unutilised at Divgali-Mayem.

A major problem confronting the people of Mayem village is the decades-old Custodian issue, which has deprived them of land ownership, many government schemes and other activities in the village. Locals of Mayem have been demanding a special Act to enable them enjoy all rights and privileges as other citizens of the State.

After several petitions and agitations, former chief minister Manohar Parrikar passed the new Act in the year 2014, but the issue is far from resolved as the process to provide Sanads to the people is still in progress.

In Narvem village, locals have complained that the steps at the Narvem Tirtha have become old and dilapidated, making it dangerous for hundreds of devotees from across the State to participate in the Janmashtami celebrations at the River Panchaganga.

At Shirgao village, the major problem faced by the people pertains to acute water shortage. During the famous Shirgao Zatra, there is little or no water at the Dhondachi Tali, especially when there is poor rainfall. People also face shortage of potable water throughout the year.

For residents of Pilgao, their common complaint is about dust pollution and they blame the mining truck drivers who disregard environment rules while transporting ore.

The major grievance for residents of Chorao Island is the construction of the Chorao-Ribandar Bridge. Many people from Bicholim taluka prefer to take the Chorao-Ribandar ferry to go to Panaji as it cuts short the distance by several kilometres.

The United Citizens of Chorao members have been consistently pushing for the bridge and have made several representations before various authorities and political parties. The bridge has continued to elude residents of Chorao Island due to one reason or the other.

Like in Mayem, the major problem in Ona-Mauligem village is the land dispute between landlords and locals. People have been demanding right to own land as they cannot undertake any activity in the absence of land ownership. Following a demand from the people, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza had told the people to hold a special gram sabha to discuss the issue and to submit a report to the state government. Such meeting was held recently in Maulingem village.

Karapur-Sarvan village has remained backward in many aspects despite efforts by the local MLA to promote development in the village. Several internal roads in the village have been hot-mixed, but people feel that there should be more development in the village in order to bring it on par with other villages. People also want the government to solve the unemployment problem in the village by promoting tourism activities.

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BENEFITS

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On the other hand, those locals who support Speaker and local MLA, Anant Shet claim that he has been instrumental in promoting various projects during his two terms as legislator. They point to the various road works in the constituency, opening of a new health centre, construction of two sports grounds, gutter facilities at various places, development of Ganesh immersion centres, water supply facilities for farming with the help of lift irrigation pimps, agricultural schemes, water supply facility, sports complex, panchayat ghars, pedestrians bridges and a market complex.

They have added that the MLA has also taken steps to renovate old community halls, provide bus stops at different areas, promote beautification and extension of temple areas, development in khazan farming areas, construction of retaining walls, renovation of rivulets, crematoriums, construction of open type bandharas, renovation and beautification of existing lakes, laying of underground electricity cables from Kelbaiwada to Ardhwada-Mayem, besides installation of high mast lamps in different parts of Mayem constituency.

The new sports ground and sports academy at Kelbaiwada and a sports ground at Gawlaan Mayem is also in progress.

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VOTERS' VOICES

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Though there is some development in Mayem village, some works are still pending. The rivulet in our area was taken for renovation, but the work has come to a standstill since June. I think the local MLA should complete these incomplete projects as early as possible.

Mahesh Shet, businessman, Kumbharwada Mayem

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Mayem MLA Anant Shet has undertaken laudable development in Mayem constituency though some people claim that there is no development. Mayem was initially a rural area and hence, it was not possible to undertake development at a fast pace. Therefore, development undertaken by the MLA in all seven panchayat areas is highly laudable.

Manohar Kalekar, Kasarwada, Ona-Maulingem

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Speaker Anant Shet has undertaken several development projects in Mayem. However, there is no proper maintenance of these projects. The sports ground has a grass carpet laid at Kelbaiwada, but it has been neglected. There is no provision of water to be provided to the existing grass and as a result, it has become dry. The MLA should look into it and maintain it properly.

Krishna Narvekar, Mayem

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Lakhs of square metres of land are lying unutilised at Divgali-Mayem. The State government should take the initiative to bring it under use by constructing a project like an IT or any business project, which would help youth to secure jobs. The government can also utilise the land for agricultural purpose which will help Mayem village regain its lost glory. If the government can construct an international airport at Mopa, why can it not cannot develop Mayem village?

Anand Sawant, Ardhawada-Mayem

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The State government should undertake the process of providing sanads to people at a faster pace so that the custodian issue can be resolved before the assembly elections. People in Mayem are under Portuguese rule even after Goa was liberated in 1961. Two years have been passed since a new Act has been enacted to solve this issue. The Mayem Custodian issue will be over only after government provides sanads to the people.

Kashinath Mayekar, President of Mayem Bhuvimochan Nagarik Kruti Samiti

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I think that in Mayem, some other party like Shivsena or other like-minded parties should be given an opportunity as the work undertaken by present BJP government is not satisfactory as far as all round development of Mayem constituency is concerned.

Rohan Naik, Mayem

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There is a need to repair the steps at Narvem Tirtha as the same is used by hundreds of devotees across the state for Janmashtami celebrations to offer tributes to the River Panchaganga. The Local MLA should take the initiative to repair the steps at Narvem Tirtha.

Hanumant Gawas, devotee, Narvem

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MLA SPEAK

ANANT SHET, SPEAKER AND MAYEM MLA

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As a two-term MLA, how would you rate the development in your constituency?

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During my first tenure, it was impossible to bring about sudden development. However, I was still instrumental in undertaking several development works worth crores of rupees in all seven village panchayat areas of Mayem constituency. During my second tenure, I got full support from the BJP government and I undertook many developments works. Initially, Chorao constituency was part of another constituency, but it was also included in Mayem constituency as per the new delimitation. I have worked hard for the all-round development of Mayem constituency.

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Despite being a member of the ruling party, the question of Custodian property still remains unresolved.

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There were several loopholes in the old Act due to which it took long time to study the issue properly. After coming to power, we strived hard to resolve the Custodian issue. Finally, the new Act was passed by former chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Now, the matter is in the final stage as the process of providing Sanads to the people is in progress. A special mamlatdar has been appointed to look after these affairs and I hope that this issue will be solved as early as possible.

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Would you contest the next election on BJP ticket for a third time?

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Definitely, I will contest the next assembly election. I have fulfilled the demands of people as per their needs. I have been touch with voters and I have been getting tremendous response. This time, I will definitely make a hat trick and will undertake further development of Mayem constituency.

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What are your future plans?

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My priority is the construction of Chorao-Ribandar bridge and the foundation stone will be laid as soon as the land acquisition process is over. Other future plans include the construction of a crematorium at Ona“Maulingem and Mayem, a community hall at Vaigini-Mayem, new road between Devgale and Saptakoteshwar, beautification of Sagartali at Narvem, renovation of old temples and construction of panchayat building at Mayem. There are many projects in the pipeline which will be taken forward.

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DISSENTING VOICE

ANAND NAIK, ASPIRING CONGRESS CANDIDATE

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How would you judge the performance of Speaker Anant Shet?

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I feel that despite getting elected for two terms, MLA Shet has been unable to resolve the issue of Custodian property of Mayem, which is the prime issue of Mayem village. The works undertaken by him were at the panchayat level and hence, I feel that there is no real development in Mayem.

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Would you contest on Congress party ticket?

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I have been working for the Congress party since the last 30 years as a grassroots activist. I have been sarpanch of Mayem panchayat for three times and have undertaken different development projects during my tenure. At present, I have been president of Mayem Congress block committee and members of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, founder chairperson of Mayem Urban Cooperative Credit Society. Hence, I feel that I am a prime aspirant for the Congress party ticket. Being a former sarpanch, I have got tremendous response from the people and I am confident of undertaking real development if I get elected on the Congress ticket.

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What are your future plans?

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I have many plans at my disposal since I represented Mayem panchayat on three occasions. But the thing is, I should get the Congress party ticket.

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OTHER ASPIRING CANDIDATES

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ADV. AJEETSINGH RANE, AAP CONTESTANT

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I have been working for the development of Mayem village for more than five years and I have been in touch with the people to solve their issues. As an advocate, I am also working to solve the Custodian of Evacuee property issue. I have also been a union leader, due to which I have been working to resolve the issue of mining workers. People have been supporting me tremendously and I will contest the forthcoming elections. Solution to the Custodian issue and to promote overall development of Mayem constituency will be my main priorities for Mayem constituency.

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SAKHARAM PEDNEKAR “ ASPIRING CANDIDATE, MAYEM CONSTITUENCY VIKAS MANCH

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I will definitely get the support of people if I contest from the Mayem Constituency Vikas Manch. I have been a former panch member of Mayem panchayat on many occasions. Initially, I was a BJP activist and was responsible for expanding work of BJP in Mayem. But, due to some internal differences, especially on the issue of MOI, I left BJP and am now working for Goa Suraksha Manch party, which is affiliated to Mayem Constituency Vikas Manch.

It was only our team that worked as the prime backbone of BJP in the past and hence, I feel that people will support me. This time too, I will work for the upliftment of our mother tongue.

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SANTOSH SAWANT - SOCIAL WORKER

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I have been working for the welfare of people on my own since the last several years. I have decided to contest the election independently, if like-minded parties like GSM do not allot me a ticket. I have planned different social issues which I will implement as soon I win the election.

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TULSHIDAS CHODANKAR - CONTESTANT FOR SHIVSENA TICKET

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Before joining the Shiv Sena, I was sarpanch of Mayem panchayat and also panch member on many counts. I have been working for the welfare of people on my side. Now since I have accepted the candidature of Shiv Sena, I will use my full strength to persuade people. I have also planned the things and I will implement they same once I got elected.

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TOTAL ELECTORS : 25080

ANANT SHET 49 BJP 11880 53.79

PRAVIN ZANTYE 45 IND 6247 28.27

RUDRESH CHODANKAR 43 NCP 3536 16.00

KAMLAKANT GADEKAR 66 CPM 225 1.00

DEEPKUMAR MAPARI 28 IND 211 0.95

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CONSTITUENCY OUTLINE:

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Mayem constituency consists of seven village panchayats, Mayem, Pilgao, Narvem, Shirgao, Ona-Maulingem, Karapur“Sarvan and Chorao.

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