MARGAO: Vimal Shirodkar, the retired home guard whose house partially broke down during the torrential rains, has become a victim of political one-upmanship.
It may be recalled that, one of the wall of her house in Shirvodem had collapsed rendering her homeless. It was then that newly elected South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes, Savio Coutinho and others met Vimal and assured to help her. They appealed for monetary help, and people responded with a big heart, to support the home guard Vimal who had spent nearly 34 years managing traffic near Marliz, Margao.
The Gauncars of Shirvodem and locals had collected money and they began the repairs on her house. However, in a shocking development police were sent to her house and the repair work on her house was stopped and PWD said that they would do the work.
One Gauncar told Herald TV, “Gauncars of Shirvodem and others came forward to help Vimal. Today some government officials came and said they want to build the house on their own. Repair of her house has been stopped. We can’t understand why……..when the public is helping her, the land owner is giving her permission. Why should someone else come and stop the work?”
Vimal has appealed to keep out the politics and said initially only Savio Coutinho and a few others came to help her. “People have helped me. Material has been given by Savio Coutinho. Now they are blocking my work. PWD is saying we are doing the work. I’m staying at neighbour’s place. They are just wanting to do it to claim credit. When my house fell, nobody came to help me, except Savio.”
