CANACONA
Accusing the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) of harassing local youth running kiosks at the behest of political leaders, the Swabhimani Jagruth Canaconkars (SJC) led by Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari on Monday gheraoed CMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar and warned that such harassment would not be tolerated.
A delegation of SJC members led by Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari on Monday gheraoed CMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar and stated that local youth from Canacona are earning their livelihood by running small businesses through handcarts/gaddas, but were being harassed by ruling political leaders.
“After the Covid-19 pandemic, the State government started “Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swayampurna Goa” scheme on October 1, 2021, to enhance economic activities in the State and to make villagers self-reliant and provide ways for better livelihood,” said Bhandari.
“But now it seems ruling political leaders are trying to create hurdles to their own government’s scheme and are harassing local youth to stop their business activities.”
Their memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other authorities cited the case of a local youth who started a handcart at Palolem beach to support his family.
“This youth was always at the forefront of various development issues of Canacona and participated in various movements for the betterment of Canacona but unfortunately, he was not a supporter of the ruling politician. When the supporters of the politician noticed his handcart, they immediately brought it to the notice of the politician and forcefully got it shut down,” said Bhandari.
Added Goa Forward Party Environment Cell incharge Vikas Bhagat: “Why can’t the bhumiputra of Canacona do business in Canacona? Why do elected representatives harass political opponents? Is it fair to use govt machinery to finish poor local youth by taking political revenge?"
Claiming that the CMC chairperson has publicly supported the bhumiputra of Canacona in doing business, Bhandari accused the CMC chief officer Madhu Narvekar of harassing local youth.
"If gaddas/handcarts of local Canconkars which were removed are not restored, we will undertake a drive against illegal businesses of outsiders in Canacona and will forcefully close down such illegal businesses," warned Bhandari.
Others present along with Janardhan Bhandari to submit the memorandum included CMC councillors Dhiraj Naik Goankar and Shubham Komarpant.
Congress block ex-president Pralay Bhagat, Congress youth president Vaishnav Pednekar, social activists Pallavi Bhagat, Siddharth Gayak, Ratnakar Velip, Ashwin Faldessai and Yash Sawant were also present.
A delegation of SJC members led by Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari on Monday gheraoed CMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar and stated that local youth from Canacona are earning their livelihood by running small businesses through handcarts/gaddas, but were being harassed by ruling political leaders.
“After the Covid-19 pandemic, the State government started “Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swayampurna Goa” scheme on October 1, 2021, to enhance economic activities in the State and to make villagers self-reliant and provide ways for better livelihood,” said Bhandari.
“But now it seems ruling political leaders are trying to create hurdles to their own government’s scheme and are harassing local youth to stop their business activities.”
Their memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other authorities cited the case of a local youth who started a handcart at Palolem beach to support his family.
“This youth was always at the forefront of various development issues of Canacona and participated in various movements for the betterment of Canacona but unfortunately, he was not a supporter of the ruling politician. When the supporters of the politician noticed his handcart, they immediately brought it to the notice of the politician and forcefully got it shut down,” said Bhandari.
Added Goa Forward Party Environment Cell incharge Vikas Bhagat: “Why can’t the bhumiputra of Canacona do business in Canacona? Why do elected representatives harass political opponents? Is it fair to use govt machinery to finish poor local youth by taking political revenge?"
Claiming that the CMC chairperson has publicly supported the bhumiputra of Canacona in doing business, Bhandari accused the CMC chief officer Madhu Narvekar of harassing local youth.
"If gaddas/handcarts of local Canconkars which were removed are not restored, we will undertake a drive against illegal businesses of outsiders in Canacona and will forcefully close down such illegal businesses," warned Bhandari.
Others present along with Janardhan Bhandari to submit the memorandum included CMC councillors Dhiraj Naik Goankar and Shubham Komarpant.
Congress block ex-president Pralay Bhagat, Congress youth president Vaishnav Pednekar, social activists Pallavi Bhagat, Siddharth Gayak, Ratnakar Velip, Ashwin Faldessai and Yash Sawant were also present.
