Born on December 9, 1945, Gauncar had led the Mull Goenkarancho Ekvott of original Goans representing the Gawdas, Kunbis, Velips and Dhangars for many years and had succeeded in galvanising the backward class people for their inclusion in the list of scheduled tribes.
He was elected MLA of Curtorim constituency in 1994 on the UGDP banner and had been the panch and sarpanch of Raia village for well over 25 years. During his tenure as MLA, Gauncar had tabled a resolution in the assembly seeking notification from the Centre granting ST status for the four communities: Gawda, Velips, Kunbis and Dhangars.
Gauncar was the chief convenor of the Goa State Scheduled Tribe Action which led the battle to secure rights for the ST community. To emancipate the social and educational status of the tribal communities, Gauncar had opened a higher secondary school under the banner of Gauncar Higher Secondary School at Raia in 1996.
GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro has condoled Gauncar’s death, describing the former Curtorim MLA as the champion of the tribal communities. “I was actively associated with Gauncar when we were fighting for the rights of the Scheduled Tribes on the banner of Mull Goenkaracho Ekvott. He was the champion of the Scheduled Tribes. May his soul rest in peace”, Faleiro said.
