TEAM HERALD
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PONDA: The Ponda Taluka Antruz Shigmotsav Samiti (PTASS) is determined to go ahead with the Shimgo parade on March 26, even though the event is yet to get consent from the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC).
PTASS members have accused a politician of creating problems that have forced authorities to delay in granting permission to the PTASS to hold the Shigmo parade in Ponda.
With the PMC denying permission to hold the Shigmotsav float parade on March 28, the PTASS, which is headed by former chief minister Ravi Naik, sought permission to hold the event on March 26.
According to information, March 27 and 28 have been reserved by the State government for the state-level Shigmo parade in Ponda.
The Antruz Mahal Shigmotsav Samitti, headed by Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar, will organise the Shimgo parade in Ponda in association with the Tourism Department.
On Friday afternoon, PTASS members assembled at PMC to meet PMC Administrator Narayan Navti and Chief Officer Johnson Fernandes to discuss the issue.
“We were called at 3 pm to discuss the issue, but it was rescheduled at 5.30 pm. But when we went at that time, we were told that the administrator was not coming and the decision to grant permission for the Shigmo parade cannot be taken in his absence,” informed Sanjay Naik.
“This has been done on purpose, but we will go ahead and organise the event, come what may. Whether the authorities give us permission or no, it doesn’t matter now,” warned Naik.
Added PTASS Secretary Damu Naik: “This is ridiculous. I don’t understand why the authorities are hesitant to give us permission.”
“Our committee has been organising the event since the last 33 years and now the government is bypassing us. Last year, we did not organise the float parade due to the tragic bus accident at Calvim and later, it was organised by another group in association with Goa Tourism,” added Damu.
“There should not be two Shigmo parades and I sincerely urge the State government to look into the matter,” urged Damu.
When contacted, PMC Administrator Narayan Navti was unavailable for comments.
According to sources, Navti, who is also the additional collector of South Goa, was busy with official work in south Goa, due to which he could not attend the meeting with PTASS.
