SANGUEM
Members of the Schedule Caste communities in Sanguem and Quepem talukas staged an agitation on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti at Curchorem, to protest against the rejection of the nomination of Poornima Panchwadkar from Ward 3 for the Sanguem Municipal Council (SMC) elections.
According to reports, Panchwadkar had filed her nomination for elections in Ward 3 at the SMC, but it was rejected by Sanguem Deputy Collector Sagar Gaude on grounds that the SC certificate produced by Panchwadkar was issued by the Karnataka government and she did not have a caste certificate issued by the Goa government.
Panchwadkar is a native from Karnataka but is married to a man from Sanguem about 11 years back and has been residing in Ward 7 of Sanguem municipality since her marriage.
Sources said Panchwadkar got all her documents, including Aadhar card, election card and other documents, transferred to Goa, following her marriage.
Panchwadkar and her supporters were shocked over the rejection of her nomination on grounds that she did not possess a caste certificate issued by the State government.
Panchwadkar claimed that the caste, with respect to which she had the certificate, was duly recognised by State government and as such, the certificate issued by the Karnataka government was valid in Goa as well.
Panchwadkar accused Deputy Collector Sagar Gaude of claiming that she was not entitled to any benefits in the State.
Panchwadkar said she has already filed a complaint before the election commission and is awaiting a verdict in the matter, before resorting to further legal course.
She and her supporters have insisted that would continue their fight till they get justice in the matter.
