-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM: As a final step to force the government to accept their demand of resolving the Custodian issue, the Mayem Nagrik Bhuvimochan Samiti stated that if their long- pending demand is not met by December 19, then they will request Deputy Speaker Anant Shet to resign.
Addressing a news conference, Samiti Secretary Sakharam Pednekar stated that there are no moves by the government to solve the Custodian issue and they have been getting only assurances. “ The chief minister before the elections had said that he would solve the issue within three months if elected to power, later he demanded another 100 days and at last he assured that the issue would be resolved by December 19, 2013. We don’t know why we should believe the government,” stated Pednekar. “ It’s time that the government take a special one- day session and give a historic decision in favour of the people of Mayem. Several MLAs, who were elected from Mayem, always used the Custodian issue to get votes, but once in power forgot about it,” claimed Pednekar. Pednekar said the BJP members would resign and they would also request the MLA and Deputy Speaker Anant Shet to do the same. “ If the issue is not solved by December 19, we will also request Deputy Speaker Anant Shet to resign,” said Pednekar. Speaking on the occasion, Samiti President Kashinath Mayekar said, “ It was the then MGP government which had forced the Custodian issue only on Mayem after liberation and now being in coalition with BJP it is time that they rectify the mistake.” “ The people from the village still do not get any NOCs or any agricultural facilities just because they do not have their names on the I& IV form,” added Mayekar. The Samiti said they should be taken into confidence before taking any decision in the matter. Deputy Speaker Shet was not available on the phone for his comment. Meanwhile, the Samiti will organise a public meeting at Mayem on December 8 to seek support and discuss future course of action. Mayem Nagrik Bhuvimochan Samiti President Kashinath Mayekar, Secretary Sakharam Pednekar, Adv Ajitsingh Rane and other members at the news conference mayem evacuee Issue
