Karsten Miranda
Faithful that have been flocking at Holy Spirit Church to purchase the special cover stamp that was released in commemoration of its 450th year anniversary have been forced to go back empty handed after the special covers were withdrawn by post office officials.
Following announcements from the church, the public, on May 24 morning went to get a copy of the special cover. Counter clerks were selling the same and many were already queuing for the covers.
“Aafter a few minutes, a senior staff member from the Office of the Post Master General came rushing to command that the sale of covers be withdrawn. They claimed that there was an error in the cover but I later came to know that it was a minor one,” said a member of the congregation.
“This disappointing incident makes me wonder whether the Office of the Post Master General (PMG) does not bother to scrutinize the Special Covers before they are officially released. The withdrawal of covers from sale at the last moment disappointed many like me, who travel long distances just to buy them,” he added.
Locals have demanded that the office of the PMG respond to this immediately and question how they had not seen the error before releasing the cover officially. They reasoned that the post officials could have released the cover but not set up a sales counter at the venue.
Locals lamented that they now have been told to collect the corrected covers from Margao and Panjim Post offices after a few days and have called it a shame that such kinds of fiascos occur at such events.
Many of those who were present on the day the special cover was released had come from far and some were even visiting Margao from out of Goa especially for this event.
