Three key wards to decide next leader of CMC
CUNCOLIM: Ward no.14 Culwada, ward no. 13 Voddi and ward no. 12 Dandora are the three major wards of Cuncolim that still lacks development and unplanned development amidst the town added to the woes of locals. These wards are like land marks of Cuncolim Town and had produced many leaders but the voters are not fully satisfied with the functioning of the Council.
Ward no. 14, Culwada
Delimitation and reservation has not affected Culwada ward. In the last term Videsh Dessai won the elections by defeating Poonam Dessai by margin of 14 votes. In last elections four candidates had contested elections. Outgoing vice-chairperson Videsh Dessai is trying his luck for the second time and being challenged by former chairperson Prasad Dessai once again in this election.
Prominent wards in Cuncolim Municipal Council include Coprewada, Bankarewado and Sangelibhat. Culwada is the headquarters of CMC because the CMC administrative building falls under this ward. Culwada was ward no. 12 in last elections but this time after new delimitation it became the ward no. 14. The new delimitation and reservation has not affected Culwada ward, otherwise, except few minor changes.
Culwada has 930 eligible voters. Culwada ward gave many prominent leaders to the town. Founder chairperson of CMC, late Molu Dessai represented this ward for three terms and he was also chairperson for three terms. Freedom fighter Madhukar Dessai , Prasad Dessai and outgoing vice-chairperson Videsh Dessai also represented this ward. This ward is dominated by voters from Kshatriya Maratha Samaj. In fact this is a unique ward were in majority of voters are related to each other by relation .
ISSUES: NON-PRESERVATIONS OF HISTORICAL MONUMNETS
Culwado, despite being the capital ward, it is not developed as a capital or main ward is expected to be. Voters were expecting better development in this ward since it’s the headquarters of CMC. CMC failed to maintain the historical monument-Chieftains Memorial, though State government has provided funds for its beautification, which is assumed to be lying in CMC coffers from last ten years. Voters are expecting proactive representative to represent their ward. The only multiplex of the town falls in this ward. CMC has constructed a commercial complex at Culwada. Shree Shantadurga Kunkalikarin temple in Mulsthan needed to be kept clean by CMC. Provodaria old age home building required a face lift. Councilor of the ward must take this issue on priority.
VOTERS’ EXPECTATIONS:
Vrushabh Dessai, first time Voter from this ward said he expect his elected representative to be proactive and who will work for the betterment of the town and ward at a large. “Our councilor should plan a beautification project right from CMC market to Mulsthan,” he said.
Sidhi Dessai, a young voter expects that councilor will take keen interest in maintaining the historical important Chieftains memorial.
Voters are also expecting the proper drainage system and sanitation system in all five wados which comes under culwada ward. Locals are also not denying that some improvement has done in last five years.
Ward no. 13
Voddi Ward
Delimitation and reservation issues have not affected to this ward. Some minor shifting was done under new delimitation process; last time this ward was reserved for women and Penzy Coutinho had won the last elections defeating nearest rival Joysila D’Costa by margin of just 8 votes. Four women candidates had contested last elections
Voters from Voddi, Salemando, Porbuwado, Zoripot and Charamoddi falls in this ward. 885 voters will decide the fate of next councilor. Voddi is also the important ward of CMC. It’s another land mark after Culwado ward. Part of the market falls in Voddi. Market, bus stand, freedom fighters memorial, village ground, three schools, two higher secondary schools, college, Cuncolim church and the proposed municipal commercial building project falls in Voddi ward. Founder vice-chairperson of CMC Anthony Fernandes has represented Voddi for three terms.
ISSUES:
Voters are blaming that those who represented this ward fails to perform up to the mark. This ward is most important revenue generating ward, in spite of that the ward has not seen properly planned development. Freedom fighters memorial is neglected by CMC and councilor failed to draw attention of administration for maintenance of it. Voters are facing many difficulties like traffic congestion, proper sanitation, drainage and water logging issues. Maintenance of big projects like bus stand, ground, which may not comes under municipal jurisdiction but locals thinks it was the duty of the ward representative to raise this issue on right platform.
DEMANDS AND EXPECTIONS:
Main demand is to construct a bypass road from Voddi to bus stand for school students.
Make Cuncolim Assolna Road and Voddi Road one way during School opening and closing time. Locals long pending demand to beautify Cuncolim bus stand in main market area. Take interest in maintaining municipal projects. Voters want an active councilor who will not only look for drains and toilets but who can contribute and take part in discussion related to development of Cuncolim town.
Ward no.12,
Dandora Ward
Dandora ward, which consists of Dandora and Murida wados, has 1105 voters. Dandora is also considered to be a key ward as it gave leader like Ramesh Dessai. Ramesh Dessai who represented this ward for three terms even served CMC as the Chairperson. Landry Mascarenhas and outgoing councilor Lavita Mascarenhas also served CMC as Chairperson.
Dilimitation and reservations has not affected Dondora ward. Last time this ward was reserved for women so Landry who lost his chance had put his wife Suzana Mascarenhas in fray but lost the battle. This time Landry has come again to try his luck. In last elections Lavita Mascarenhas had won from Murida ward. She polled 325 votes while Suzana Mascarenhas had polled 264 votes. Four women had contest last elections. Outgoing Councilor Lavita Mascarenhas has changed her seat and she is now contesting from Bhivnsa ward.
ISSUES:
There are lots of problems and issues locals are facing. Murida and Dandora are geographically divided and the ward is mostly represented by representatives from Dandora so Murida, which has the maximum voters are alleging that the Murida part remains underdeveloped due to negligence from the all successive ward councilors. Road widening, drainage, power problem are the key issue locals want to get settled. Murida needed pay more attention, they insist. Locals are saying this ward is basically agriculture and dairy farming dependent and they expect councilors to motivate and promote agricultural activities in the ward.
EXPECTATIONS AND DEMANDS
. Beautification of Dandora
. Senior Citizens Circle and Addiband Circle.
. Proper Drainage system at murida.
. Beautification Veeramand area for its historical importance
. Promotion of agricultural and dairy farming
. Recreation centre and development of Nana Nani park