TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: After a bitter tug-of-war by rival factions, the government has decided to organize the annual shigmo parade in Margao on April 7 through its own committee.
This decision, which was conveyed to the high court on Tuesday, implies that the two warring Madgao Shigmotsav Samitis – one led by Damu Naik and the other by Vasant Shirodkar — will not be involved in the organization of the float parade in Margao this year.
Following a petition filed by Madgao Shigmotsav samiti general secretary, Girish Chodankar and others in the high court, the advocate general fielded a reply in the court stating that the government has appointed a committee for the organization and management of the annual shigmo parade at Margao. The advocate general further told the court that only the committee appointed by the state government will be permitted to hold the parade in the city on April 7.
Both the warring factions headed by Damu Naik and Vasant Shirodkar had staked claim to organize the float parade in the city on April 7. However the district administration had rejected the permission sought by the Vasant Shirodkar faction, while granting permission for the Samiti headed by Damu panel to hold the parade, prompting Girish Chodankar and others to knock on the doors of the judiciary.
“We have no problem if the government appoint any one on its committee. But we are happy that the Damu Naik panel will not be allowed to use the Madgao Shigmotsav Samiti platform to hold the parade”, Chodankar told the media. He said neither Damu Naik nor Sharmad Raiturcar are members of the Madgao Shigmotsav Samiti registered in 2008.
Replying to a question on the Samiti office at Malbhat, Chodankar said the registered Samiti headed by Vasant Shirodkar will stake claim on the office, saying payments were made to the builder when Digambar Kamat was the Samiti president.
Meanwhile, Damu Naik told Herald that that he has been appointed as Chairman of the government appointed committee to organize the shigmo parade in Margao. He refuted reports that he was never a member of the Madgao Shigmotsav Samiti.
