Participants at the meeting raising their hands to oppose the inclusion of Canacona in the proposed third district. Photo: Kathy Fernandes
Even as the headquarter for the proposed third district in the State is being discussed, a new dimension to the discussion is emerging in Canacona with many locals voicing their opposition to the inclusion of Canacona taluka included in the third district.
At a meeting of concerned citizens from Canacona Taluka at the Shristhal Panchayat Hall on Tuesday, the gathering unanimously resolved that authorities should visit Canacona and explain to the people about the benefits arising out of inclusion of Canacona taluka in the proposed new district.
The meeting further resolved that the people of Canacona will not take things lying down if the taluka is included in the proposed new district, and will oppose the move tooth and nail.
These two resolutions were passed at a meeting convened to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed third district and inclusion of Canacona taluka as one of four talukas in the proposed new district.
Convenor of the meeting, Prashant Naik, claimed that the government committee to study the feasibility of a third district consists of bureaucrats as members that includes the chief secretary, principal secretary (finance), resident commissioner, collectors (north) & (south), advisor to the chief minister, and Charudutt Panigri, Director of Planning and Statistics.
“None of these officers are Goans, and we sincerely doubt these officers know how Canconcars will be benefitted by including Canacona in the third district. Officers sitting in AC cabins cannot understand the people’s pain and inconveniences,” said Naik.
Added Shantaji Naik Gaunkar: “We have no objection to the proposed third district, but why and on what grounds is Canacona taluka included in this proposal? Neither Curchorem nor Quepem is suitable or convenient to the people of Canacona, as compared to Margao, which is our existing district headquarter.”
Datta Gaonkar voiced similar thoughts and said Canconcars have no direct connect with neither Quepem nor Curchorem.
“Margao is our lifeline. Quepem and Curchorem have just 2-3 buses plying on day-to-day basis, whereas there are over 50 buses making daily trips to Margao right from Polem and other interior villages of Canacona taluka. Our taluka should continue to remain with Margao as our headquarter,” he added.
Samrat Bhagat opined that if the government is so interested in creating a third district, it should exclude Canacona taluka from this proposed district and instead, include Ponda taluka which has more population to make a third district feasible.
