http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Strike-off-bogus-voters-from-electoral-list-GRA/46475.html Strike off bogus voters from electoral list: GRA
HERALD REPORTER *Demands end to corruption* PANJIM, MARCH 15 Agitated over the ruthlessness and insensitivity by Goa government to various social issues, the citizens groups today resolved to demand Special Status for Goa by the Central Government meant for the protection of Goan culture and land. Over 30 organizations and forums under the banner Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz (Voice of the Protectors of Goa) GRA on Tuesday held a protest-meet at Azad Maidan, also demanded to eliminate bogus voters from the voters list and end corruption in the State. “Goan votes are lost. We demand to remove bogus voters from the election voters list, who have not deleted their voting rights back at their native place,” Advocate Yatish Naik, representing Pilerne Citizens Forum (PCF) addressed the public rally. Similarly, concerns were raised on the increasing migrants in Goa, who are being used as their vote banks during election. The aggrieved members vouched to oust all 40 MLAs, by not electing them in the forthcoming assembly election, as they have been ‘selling Goa’. They said that it is high time that Goans elect new faces and those who are literate to run the government well. PCF President Prakash Bandodkar said that places like Chimbel and Moti Dongor – Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s constituency, are flooded by illegal immigrants. “The increasing slums and migrants have been created by politicians only to get votes. These outsiders are residing in Goa without any credentials,” he said. Bandodkar alleged that the 40 legislators and respective mamlatdars are hand in gloves in allowing migrants to take shelter here. Besides, environmental issues were also raised at the gathering with environmentalists demanding to scarp government’s decision to bring out Vision – 2035 document for the development of Goa. “It is the utopian idea by the Goa government. When it could not responsibly work on Regional Plan 2021, then Vision document is something which it should not think of. In fact, it should be scrapped,” renowned environmentalist Ramesh Gawas said. He further stated that Goa is turning into a sophisticated and lawless State as government is turning a blind eye to several illegal mining activities here. “Goa is already facing water crisis, and if mining continues, then Goans will cry for every single drop of water. The non-stop mining would create other problems as well,” he said. Scores of people from all walks of life participated in the rally, chanting anti-government slogans. Swati Kerkar of the SEZ Virodhi Manch rued that villages and agricultural lands are being destroyed in the name of development. “We should not succumb to the government’s false promises of jobs and developmental activities. We should instead unite and fight the injustice. How can we get jobs when industries have already failed here?” she said. The much talked about issue of the police-drug nexus also dominated the agenda of the gathering, besides other issues on rampant sand extraction, mining, land and the proposed Mopa airport. A local from Margao Croydan Madeira took a pot shot at the government on drugs scene along the coastal belt. He said that while outsiders are awarded jobs here, many local youths are rendered jobless and hence indulge in anti-social acts. “Goan politicians take advantage of the frustrated local youth who are jobless and induce them into doing drugs or alcohol. Youths should not fall prey to all this,” he said. The newly formed GRA, an umbrella organization of various forums and groups, last week decided to hold the protest rally “to show their disgust and anguish at the state of affairs prevailing in Goa.” -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 6. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
