TEAM HERALD
PANJIM :In what could be considered as a major revolt against the BJP government in the state, Catholic MLAs, ruling as well as the opposition, have joined hands after the church body–Archdiocesan Society– felt neglected or sidelined by the Laxmikant Parsekar-led government, especially on the educational front. Upset with the government approach towards minorities, the archbishop directed the Catholic legislators to intervene and seek relief from the chief minister.
The Diocesan Society of Education, running more than 100-odd schools on Wednesday called for an emergency meeting of Catholic MLAs to pressure the government on helping them in resolving the educational crisis pertaining to diocesan schools. The society highlighted the failure of the government in granting NOC for new four higher secondary schools in Canacona, Bicholim, Pernem and Usgao, despite the fact that then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had granted ‘in-principle’ approval.
Emerging from the meeting, BJP legislator Michael Lobo said that the meeting has been fixed with the chief minister on Thursday wherein a detailed memorandum signed by all Catholic MLAs would be submitted for resolving the educational crisis pertaining to diocesan schools. The legislator would be also meeting Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar during his next Goa visit and would appraise him on the issue.
The meeting, chaired by society secretary Fr Zeferino D’Souza, also discussed in detail about immediate implementation of the long pending medium of instruction (MoI) policy, which has currently been referred to the select committee of the state legislative assembly. Apparently the diocesan schools are not been given grant-in-aid as promised.
The members , however, had no discussion on government directions to hold yoga drill, mainly comprising Surya Namaskar on June 21. The issue might be taken up with chief the minister during their meeting on June 11.
The two-hour long meeting was attended by Environment Minister Alina Saldanha, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado, BJP legislators Michael Lobo, Carlose Almeida, Glenn Ticlo, Congress MLAs Mauvin Godinho, Reginaldo Lourenco and Jennifer Monserrate.
While the participating members refused to divulge the details, sources stated that Goa church is upset over the BJP-led government approach towards church schools. “The church body has started developing the feeling of being sidelined by the Parsekar government. The freedom and affection they received from then Chief Minister Parrikar is now missing,” sources said adding ‘all this has upset the Archbishop, especially as the minorities played major role in bringing the BJP to power in Goa’.
Sources said that Diocesan Society is upset as government has failed to grant NOCS for allowing additional divisions for the schools run by them, while non-Diocesan schools are allowed to increase their intake capacity. Also the permissions sought for four new higher secondarIes are pending since last one year, despite repeated reminders.
“There are genuine demands of the Diocesan Society which need to be sorted out. The church had asked for our help to sort out these demands,” said Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho refusing to elaborate on the demands.
“You will come to know about all the demands tomorrow when we will submit them in the form of memorandum,” he said.
The Diocesan Society has also kept mum on the demands claiming that the state government will be apprised of them, and only then it would be revealed to the media.
“The discussion would be held with CM regarding education and various measures to improve the education field. Some practical difficulties are encountered we want government to look into it. We want CM to resolve these issues,” Fr Zeferino D’Souza said.
He, however, ruled out any difference with the government stating, “we always had cordial relations with the present as well as previous government.”
