Cuncolim:
Three wards of Cuncolim Municipal Council, Panzorconi I , (Ward #1) newly formed Poitomado-Panzorconi-II ( Ward #2) and Talwada (Ward #4) are dominated by voters mainly from the Scheduled tribes and migrant voters.
For thirty years, three wards have remained cut off from main stream Blame it on voters who failed to elect worthy representatives or point fingers rightly for elected representatives who failed to deliver. Either way, the people of these wards, technically members of an urban council have been left bereft of basic civic amenities
The Cuncolim Municipal Council got two additional wards after the delimitation. Ward number two Poitomado-Panzorconi is the new ward which will go to vote in coming municipal elections.
Ward 1- Panzorconi
Ward number one Panzorconi ward is reserved for OBC Women. Last time this ward was represented by Udesh Gaonkar who got elected in what was then a ST reserved ward. He beat Ulhas Gaonkar by a margin of 52 votes.
With the ward reserved for OBC Women this time. Udesh Gaonkar lost his chance to contest elections from ward one. This Ward consists of 750 voters from Chappel area and Comba Central. Moreover, the Cacnamoddi voters who were in ward 11 ward have shifted to this Ward 1 this time.
Political Football
Allegations that ward delimitation was done to benefit BJP
There are allegations that the ward delimitation and reservation of this ward was done to benefit the ruling BJP.
This is because this time’s reservation pattern bucks the normal trend. Normally for every alternate term this ward is reserved either for ST or for OBC. But the reservation this time narrows it down to OBC women. The opposition has alleged that this has been done for the benefit of just one close ally of the turncoat MLA Calafaco Dias and Vice president of Cuncolim BJP Mandal Georgina Gama
Issues of ward 1
Power, Water Shortage, Employment
The Panzorconi ward is main revenue generating ward. There is one petrol pump, two saw mills, many granite and marble outlets. Besides many new housing colonies are coming up in this ward.
Problems like illegal migrant influx, illegal construction, new housing colonies, power shortage, water shortage, unemployment are major-issues which has to adrress. This ward is connected to Highway one proposed Highway bypass Alignment is proposed through this ward people are opposing the bypass road. Voters want clear promise from candidates that proposed bypass will be scrapped.
Land acquired for Housing Board remains unused
Another issue is government land at Panzorconi which was acquired for by the Housing Board remains unused. Locals are demanding that land be used for to shift all educational institutions. Voters are also demanding capping on new housing complexes. Sudhakar Gaonkar a voter from this ward said that all elected representatives failed to address these issues and they need a young and dynamic councilor who will give justice to her post.
Ward two Panzorconi- Poitomado and Gaunkarwado
Gaonkarwado, Poitomado and part of Panzorconi have separated from Ward #1 and dovetailed as Ward #2, also dominated by ST voters.
Issues of Ward 2
Defecation, unemployment, sanitation
Issues like open defecation, unemployment, sanitation facilities and development projects are main problem voters are facing. In fact some 12 years back when Joaquim Alemao was the urban development minister he had proposed a new housing project for ST people under HUDCO scheme. It was central government scheme which was sponsoring huge fund to develop township with all facilities to poor people but this proposal did not saw the light of day.
Voters depending on Agriculture and Dairy farming have not been looked after.
Many milk bearing cattle have been crushed under trains on the Konkan railway line resulting huge loss for poor farmers. Locals are claiming they are not getting benefits of under ST schemes for these losses, since they technically fall in an “urban area”
Rupesh Gaonkar a young voter said they need a councilor who can dedicatedly promise to get government benefits to every voter.
Ward # 4 Talwada
This ward is known as the temple ward. Seven famous temples and springs fall in this ward. Some of them are Shree Shantadurga Verdekarin temple, the Ramnath temple, the Simplimaya temple and Shanidev Temple.
The Power house which distributes power to Cuncolim Constituency and the most polluted Industrial estate in Goa also falls in this ward.
Issues of Ward 4
Huge industrial estate but no employment to locals
Apart from the civic issues which are common with ward #2, and those concerning farmers and dairy farmers, this ward has a huge Industrial estate in this ward but failed to give employment to unemployed youths from ward.
Political Football
This ward was represented by former International football player Ashok Fadte Dessai. But Fadte lost his chance this time because this ward is reserved for ST women.
Here too, this time’s reservation bucks the trend. After every alternate term, this ward is reserved for ST. But that has been further narrowed to ST women
Ashok Fadte has therefore decided not to contest elections from elsewhere after being forced out of this ward. Many aspirants from ST Community including Former councilor Gaonkar lost chance because ward is reserved for ST Women.
This time 1071 voters are eligible to cast their vote. In the last elections, Ashok Fadte got elected defeating Gaurish Fadte and Kantu Dessai. Ashok Fadte had polled 410 votes while Gaurish polled 212 votes and Kantu polled 217 votes.
