MARGAO: A group of Margao citizens were left frustrated as their application for the use of Lohia Maidan to host a cultural programme during Diwali was rejected by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC).
Expressing their concerns at a press briefing, Margao locals like Adv Snehal Onskar, Lalan Parsekar and former MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho, revealed that despite officially booking Lohia Maidan for the event by paying the required fee and security deposit, their application was turned down. The venue had been finalised on October 31, and the payment of Rs 3,500 was made on November 3.
Coutinho disclosed that he received calls from two ruling councillors on November 7, alerting him to the likelihood of their booking being cancelled. Upon visiting the MMC, he discovered that a rejection letter was in the process of being sent.
Had it not been for the timely alert from the councillors, the rejection letter, slated for dispatch on November 8, would have reached them on November 10 or 11, leaving them with insufficient time to make alternate arrangements for the Diwali event.
When questioned about the possibility of politics influencing the rejection, Coutinho expressed disappointment, stating that it would be unfortunate if political considerations played a role in the decision. He emphasised that if the Solid Party, which has been organising the Narakasur Competition for 26 years, felt the need for Lohia Maidan this year, they were welcome to it, as they had no objections.
The citizens, now seeking alternatives, have decided to hold their Diwali cultural programme at Casa Aliados Hall, located behind Gomant Vidya Niketan in Margao.
