Team Herald
PORVORIM: The Goa legislative Assembly disallowed a private members resolution seeking to create a third district at Dharbandora, after majority members voted against the resolution moved by Ponda MLA Ravi Naik.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the matter could be examined in future given that the need for an additional district, in the present time, is not needed. “As far as policing is concerned, we have created four police districts but as far as the Revenue District is concerned, we don’t require an additional district. It is not feasible, maybe we can examine this (proposal) in the future,” he said urging Naik to withdraw the resolution.
The Congress legislator maintained that creation of a third district is not a tedious task as just a mere ‘cabinet decision’ will serve the purpose.
Revenue Minister Jennifer Monserrate explained that considering the voting population, it is not possible to create any additional district. “There are number of any administrative changes at this moment. Moreover, the government is working towards getting services of the revenue department online as a part of the Digital India initiative of the Prime Minister; so benefitting the people through a third district does not arise,” she said in a bid to convince the MLA.
Naik, on the other hand, remained adamant that an additional district would help the facilities of the government to be taken to the doorsteps of the people.
While he was supported by Congress Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro, MGP Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar opposed the formation of a new district. Refusing to withdraw his resolution despite repeated requests from the CM and Revenue Minister, Speaker Rajesh Patnekar took a House vote wherein 23 members voted against Naik’s resolution and 8 in favour.
