VASCO: Denouncing attempts by the civil supplies department to rename Vasco as Sambhaji in the new ration cards, residents in the port town have urged Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida to rectify the mistake within 15 days, failing which they would agitate by burning all the new ration cards.
The issue was raised when a large number of residents from Khariwada, Non-Mon, Dempo Bhat and neighbouring areas attended a meeting near Holy Cross Khariwado on Wednesday evening.
The residents warned Almeida that they would not support him in the next assembly election, if he failed to rectify the mistake in the new ration cards.
Old Cross Canoe Association President Custodio D’Souza, who convened the meeting, told the residents that he along with other residents of Non-Mon Dempo Bhat had met Almeida near the crematorium and brought the issue to his notice.
“When I produced an old and a new ration card and brought to his notice the addition of the name 'Sambhaji' along with Vasco, Almeida said it was a printing mistake,” said D'Souza.
“Almeida assured me and others that he would rectify the mistake, but he failed to give us a time period when the mistake would be rectified.”
“We warned Almeida that if “Sambhaji” is not removed from the new ration cards within 15 days, we would intensify the agitation and will come on the road,” said D'Souza.
“Let us not make it an agitation led by only one community, as individuals and families of other religions are also upset. I urge every one to unite and fight for justice and sentiments of the citizens,” said D’Souza.
D’Souza informed the residents that the Civil Supplies office at Vasco printed 5,000 ration cards with the name “Sambhaji”, with “Vasco-Da-Gama” mentioned in brackets.
“Only 1,500 ration cards have been collected by the citizens and I appeal to others not to collect their ration cards until and unless the government and civil supplies department removes the name “Sambhaji”,” said D’Souza.
“The government should do the necessary corrections within 15 days, failing which we will intensify the agitation by coming on the road and burn all the new ration cards,” he warned.
D’Souza along with the residents present for the meeting also warned Almeida to carry out necessary changes within 15 days, failing which they would not vote him in the next assembly election.
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THREAT TO BURN
RATION CARDS
* Protesters set a deadline of 15 days for Vasco MLA to rectify the mistake * Act now or we don't vote you in the next election, the residents warn * * They also threaten to burn ration cards if the name 'Sambhaji' is not knocked off
