http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/gra-demands-sanitisation-electoral-rolls-state
Published on: April 30, 2011 - 01:38 More in: - Goa News <http://www.navhindtimes.in/category/stories/news/goa-news> MARGAO: With a view to eliminate vote-bank politics in the state, Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz (GRA) has demanded with the state government to sanitise the electoral rolls in all the 40 constituencies. A resolution to this effect, and incorporating other demands, was adopted at the GRA meeting held at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on Friday. Speaker after speaker brought out various issues faced by the people in the state; several hundreds of people gathered at the venue listened to them in rapt attention. Mr Gajanan Naik spoke on the Nerul helipad issue, Mr Procobio Cota from Cuncolim addressed the Cola issue, Mr Christeo Fernandes from Panchwadi lambasted the PWD Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao and spoke on how Mr Churchill actually aggravated the situation in Panchwadi. Mr Felix Rebello from Orlim spoke on how the Orlim mega project was effecting the demography of the village, and the panchayat and the government was not interested in listening to the pleas of the villagers. Mr David from Arpora, recalled how a few people had started a movement in that village and how they blocked the bridge of Nerul and the whole village of around 6,000 people was out on the streets. He lambasted Mr Churchill Alemao for not listening to their pleas and trying to bulldoze his way on the people. The meeting was compered by Ms Zarina D’Cunha and Mr Succor D’Souza. Both them were critical of the system and the government led by Mr Digambar Kamat. Ms D’Cunha highlighted the extent of corruption in the police department and the way they abuse power. She also severely criticised Mr Churchill Alemao and said that people had not forgotten his words at Lohia Maidan, that he would never join the Congress Party, even if heaven and hell became one, and his promise to the people on the Mopa airport issue, which he had not fulfilled yet. Main attraction of the meeting was a coffin with an inscription of ‘Goenche 40 Chor,’ which was carried by a host of women, followed by a brass band. Mr Anthony D’Silva, a GRA member, spoke on garbage and sewerage. Mr Xavier Fernandes from Raia spoke on gram panchayats and gram sabhas and urged the people to attend the gram sabhas without fail. He also asked the people to use RTI wherever necessary. Mr Laurel Abranches from Margao, lambasted the police department for their corruption and their involvement in falsely booking cases against the public, like the way it was done to him under the pressure of politicians. Lastly, Mr Croydon Medeira and Mr Rajendra Kakodkar read the resolution to the public in English and Konkani respectively and the public responded with a loud yes. GRA has resolved to demand with the government to take immediate steps in coordination with the civil society to install Lokayukta in the state and bill to this effect should be passed in the assembly before December 19, 2011, the 50th anniversary of our Liberation. The forum asked the government to initiated steps for acquiring special status for Goa. Urging the government to create a cell with adequate staff in the mines department to stop all illegal and semi legal mines, the GRA has asked for capping the mineral output, keeping in view the future need. The GRA has further asked the government to start dialogue with the civil society for the distribution of windfall gains from mining amongst various sections of its population. The forum has also asked the opposition in the Goa legislative assembly to stop shadow boxing with the ruling group and instead mount adequate pressure on it to work for the welfare of the people. The meet threatened that the GRA will start mounting pressure on the government as well as the opposition to force implementation of its proposals. Failure to do so by the elected members, GRA has said it will bring about a movement for a political change. -- 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/ -- 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/
