MARGAO: In a significant development, the All Goa Toddy Tappers Association has resolved to put restrictions on issuing of caste certificates to those wishing to contest the elections, once the code of conduct for any election is declared.
At the monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Association held on Tuesday, it was also resolved to file a complaint with the concerned department to initiate disciplinary action against former General Secretary of their Association, Mario Coutinho for taking honorarium despite being a government servant.
Addressing the reporters, President of the Association, Francisco Fernandes along with other office-bearers, informed that committee has resolved to revoke the caste certificate issued to Mario Coutinho, besides deleting his name from the register as an action towards fraudulently done by him.
“We have noticed that several aspiring candidates rushed at the office to get caste certificates in order to contest the elections in reserved category, resulting in chaos. Hence, it has been resolved not to issue certificate certificates to any one once the code of conduct for any election is imposed by the Election Commission,” Fernandes informed.
He further appealed to members to register with the Association or get their caste certificates well in advance.
Clarifying on the issue pertaining to alleged fake certificate issued to Councillor of Margao Municipal Council, Vitorino Tavares, President said that they had initiated the inquiry and statements of the said the councillor were also recorded and it was found that he belonged to the Toddy Tappers community as his father was registered as a member of the Association long back.
“Mario Coutinho, former office bearer who is engaged in defaming the Association, had taken a caste certificate based on the caste of his mother and not father, besides indulging in fraud. Hence the committee resolved to revoke his certificate and delete his name from the register,” said Fernandes.
The Association will write to all concerned authorities to initiate further action, he said, adding, “Since Mario is a government servant, he cannot take any honorarium from the Association without obtaining necessary permission from the concerned department,” he said.
“We will be urging the concerned department to suspend him from the services or to keep on hold his pension if he is going to be retired, till proper inquiry is conducted,” informed Fernandes.
