PANAJI
The state government on Monday decided to reschedule the panchayat polls owing to the clash of dates with Sao Joao festival, which will be celebrated on June 24. The polling date, which was previously declared as June 25, has now been tentatively fixed for June 17.
Speaking to The Goan, the new minister for panchayats Mauvin Godinho confirmed that following a meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, it was decided to shift the panchayat polls due to the Sao Joao feast.
“Sao Joao feast will be celebrated on June 24. Previously, the CM had declared the date as June 25 giving due time to the department to overcome some technical difficulties. But giving due regard to the sentiments of the minority community, which will be celebrating the feast, the government has decided to conduct the polls earlier, tentatively on June 17,” Godinho stated.
It was brought to the notice of Chief Minister manohar Parrikar by certain ministers that conducting the polls on June 25 would result in declaration of June 24, the day of Sao Joao feast, as a dry day. Considering that the celebration of the feast in this manner would cloud over the fervor and festive spirit, the state government has now settled on an earlier date for the polls.
He further said that the government has consulted the directorate of panchayats as well as the State Election Commission over the new date. “There is concurrence between the SEC and the government over the new date,” the panchayat minister stated.
Citing the time frame required for completion of delimitation and reservation of panchayat polls, Godinho insisted that it is not possible to conduct the panchayat polls before the end of the present five-year tenure, which concludes on April 27.
“The delimitation and reservation of panchayat wards are likely to be notified by May 2 to 3. The department has to follow certain procedure thereafter,” Godinho said adding that the government needs time till June to complete the formalities.
Meanwhile, sources from the panchayat department informed that the new date will be formalized upon consultation with the advocate general of Goa government while bearing in mind legalities involved in the PIL, filed over the declaration of the panchayat poll date, delimitation and reservation of wards, which is presently being heard by the High Court.
