CURCHOREM, OCT 2
Like the many proposed projects that have run into rough weather, the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) is in for another political ‘merry-go-round’ with elections later this month.
Despite scoring poorly in their mark-sheet during the previous CCMC term, most of the sitting councillors plan to rerun for the civic elections.
Some are even planning to field their wives and other relatives in the reserved wards.
One of the most important municipalities in South Goa, Curchorem is the trade centre for residents of Sanguem, Sanvordem, Shiroda, Neturlim, Curpem, Mollem, Kalay and Collem.
But since the last few years, the Curchorem market has been adversely affected due to a boom in the mining industry.
Hundreds of mining tracks make a bee line on the main roads, posing a serious threat to pedestrians and other motorists.
Many innocent people, including school children, have not only lost their limbs but even their precious lives due to reckless movement of mining traffic.
The Mission Bypass and other organisations launched several agitations to demand a road for mining traffic that would bypass Curchorem town. The government is, however, moving at snail’s pace oblivious to the sufferings of the common man in and around Curchorem.
The proposed ‘merry-go-round’ project of the Central Government had planned to solve the problem of dust pollution in Curchorem area.
However, while one group of people support the project, another group is vehemently opposed to it and the matter is now pending in the Supreme Court.
Residents of Curchorem-Cacora are largely dissatisfied with the functioning of the CCMC.
Many feel that the move to convert the panchayat into a municipality is akin to moving from the frying pan into the fire.
“The panchayat was better for us in comparison to a municipal council. The CCMC has failed to do any significant development work in the town,” remarked Curchorem Merchant’s Association President Hanumant Vast.
“Garbage is not being cleaned regularly and many places stink due to untimely disposal of garbage. Corruption is rampant in the CCMC and the chairperson’s post has turned into a musical chair,” he said.
Such has been the inefficiency of the CCMC that the task of cleaning garbage, which should have been tackled by the CCMC, is being looked after by the Kudchade Vikas Sanghtana (KVS).
The KVC has its own workforce to collect door-to-door garbage and dispose off the waste.
Despite performing poorly in the outgoing CCMC term, most councillors plan to recontest civic elections directly by standing in the elections of indirectly by fielding their wives and other relatives in the reserved wards.
However, they have to be wary of a disillusioned electorate as in the previous CCMC election, all but one councillor had to taste defeat in the polls.
This time, the BJP, Congress and KVS plan to form their own panels to fight the elections. It remains to be seen who will succeed in winning the confidence of the voters.
