Team Herald
PANJIM: Known for some of the acclaimed beach destinations namely Palolem and Agonda, the people of Canacona constituency are fighting for basic facilities such as adequate treated water to meet their daily needs, uninterrupted power supply, medical facilities, organised tourism sector, garbage management and treatment facilities, mobile and internet connectivity, excess roads in the remote villages…and the list is unending.
Peeved by lack of basic amenities, the tribals from the most neglected Cotigao village are contemplating to boycott the upcoming February 14 Assembly elections. The residents of Nadkern, Keri, Marlem and Tirwal had earlier boycotted Zilla Panchayat elections for similar reasons.
“We celebrated 60 years of Goa’s Liberation but we the people here are yet toexperience that Liberation. Even today, we are fighting to get proper drinking water, motorable roads, mobile and internet network is secondary demand…we are yet to get even our rights under Forest Right claims,” explains Mahadev Gaonkar, a BA degree holder from the village.
He further said that residents of Keri, Kuskem, Nadkem and Bhutpal had submitted memorandums to the successive MLAs and government to exclude their areas from Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, so that they can live life without any restrictions.
Over the last couple of decades, the residents from Canacona have been dealing with serious kidney ailments with the health authorities too failing to find the cause of it. But according to some residents, the untreated and contaminated water released to them for drinking purpose, is the major reason for renal failures.
Right from North to South, the residents of Canacona Constituency complaint about inadequate water supply and frequent power cuts. During monsoon, the residents are forced to go without water and electricity for three-four days at a stretch.
Lack of medical facilities is yet another worrying problem. The residents are forced to go to Hospicio or Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim or private hospitals in case of emergencies as well as for minor treatments like fractures.
Tourism has been one of the major sources of living for the people of Palolem and Agonda — known for internationally known beaches. However, the locals complain of unorganised tourism sector that lacks basic facilities.
