The Canacona Municipal Council (CMC), has, for decades seen the same faces representing the council. When the wards are reserved for ladies, the outgoing councillor, fields his wife or someone close to him to keep power and the saga continues. New entrants, without the blessings of the sitting councillors find it difficult to win the polls.
Residents of Canacona complain that the interior roads of the taluka are narrow and full of potholes, the CMC market stinks due to the lack of a cleanliness drive and absence of proper drainage. Besides, fish vendors refusing to sit in the market as they prefer to sit on the road and pathway to sell fish adds to the issue. The Chief Officer of the CMC, Chandrakant Shetkar and his staff are forced to use the CMC office which stinks and the nauseating smell makes life difficult for them.
Shankar Naik, a businessman from Canacona was a whistle blower with regard to the threat of the impending danger posed to residents living in close vicinity of the ‘Ruby Building’. He says that though he complained in writing and orally to various concerned departments, his forecast was termed as a nuisance. Ultimately, the building collapsed, claiming the lives of 1 people.
He further stated that the new fish and vegetable market will be opened shortly, but student from the adjacent school will be disturbed due to the noise the market will generate.
Additionally, he took the Herald reporters to a site where a building in dilapidated condition houses a clinic and other general stores opposite the CMC office. The court had ordered the demolition of the building a few years ago, but the CMC is yet to act on the order and raze the structure.
Social Activist, Diogo D’Silva divulged information about the pathetic condition of the Community Health Centre (CHC) and the disorganized parking lot in the market area. His please, however, fell on deaf ears.
Not a single resident of Canacona said anything positive about the elected representatives, except for outgoing chairperson, Simon Rebello who assumed office 16 months ago and undertook development work worth Rs 1 crore and spent money from his own pocket as well. He provided basic amenities at hospitals, KTC bus stand and carried out other work like sterilization of stray dogs with the help of foreign NGOs whom he gave free transport, accommodation and food.
Sanjay Komarpant, a close aide of Sports Minister, Ramesh Tawadkar contested the last election from Canancona town Municipal ward and lost a closely fought battle. He had aspirations to contest again. When contacted, he informed that his ward had been reserved for ladies and was under the OBC category.
It is learnt that he, being a journalist was banking on the support of the local MLA (Tawadkar) and close friends in this election but his aspirations were dashed due to the reservation style employed. Charles Darwin’s theory of ‘Survival of the fittest’ truly stands defeated in this case.
