PANJIM: Goa government has decided to commemorate the Opinion Poll Day on January 16 as Asmitai Dis (Day of Identity) as the “referendum” gave the State a separate identity.
“Goa government will celebrate Opinion Poll Day as Asmitai Dis. This is a historic day. It is the only referendum, which has been taken in Independent India, and a referendum which actually gave us separate identity. Therefore, this day as well as those people who were involved in the Opinion Poll has to be recognised,” Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters on Wednesday.
The government has organised a function at Ravindra Bhavan that will also see attendance of hundreds of students besides cabinet ministers, legislators and government officials among others.
Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Michael Lobo and Minister for Town & Country Planning Vijai Sardesai, supported by some past legislators recently demanded that Goa government officially declare January 16 as the Opinion Poll Day. There have also been demands that statue of Father of Opinion Poll Dr Jack de Sequeira be installed at Goa Assembly Complex and all government and educational institutions observe this day without declaring it a State holiday.
To a media question whether the government will heed to the demands, Parrikar said, “If any announcements have to be made, it will be declared at that time.”
