PANJIM: In complete contrast to the violent disruption of the elections of the Serula Comunidade, Carambolim another among Goa’s bigger and richer Comunidades, peacefully elected a new administrative committee headed by Carmona-based master mariner Venzy Viegas.
The Comunidade’s general body meeting to conduct the elections was held on Sunday at the premises of the Administrator of Comunidades of Tiswadi Zone next to the Immaculate Conception Church in Panjim.
The election was unanimous as only one nomination was received for each of the posts and the committee is expected to take oath and office in March.
While Viegas was elected the president, Socorro Colaco was elected ‘substitute president’. Both the nominations were proposed by Seneto Colaco.
For the all important Attorney’s post, the incumbent Agnelo dos Pobres Colaco was re-elected for a second term, while Jose Maria Estivao Viegas was elected ‘substitute attorney’. Rocha Menino Jesus Colaco was elected treasurer and Dr Ervino Maria de Cruz e Barros as ‘substitute treasurer’.
Since there were only single names proposed for each of the posts and not a single objection was raised by members/joneiros or by the candidates, the presiding officer declared the panel elected.
Carambolim and its comunidade, like the neighbouring erstwhile capital of Goa during the Portuguese rule Old Goa, was hit by the plague in early 19th century forcing many of its inhabitants to relocate elsewhere.
Some families moved to the coastal Salcete village of Carmona and many others relocated further South to Assolna, Velim, Cuncolim and Chinchinim. In fact, the joneiros/components set up a new body in Velim but did not break the umbilical chord with Carambolim Comunidade. The Velim entity, though geographically apart, is attached to the parent body both financially and administratively.
