“Nothing can dither me from helping people of my ward, they have elected me and I will be there to solve all their problems” said RavindraVelip, a punch member of CauremPirla Village Panchayat during the Press Conference. The Press conference was called by him to address the threats he received from the Talathi of the Village Panchayat Mr. PrashantKunkolikar. Mr. Ravindra said that he has submitted complaint to the Collector South, Margao and Police Inspector Quepem on 27th August 2013in this regard. He expressed displeasure as the PI Quepem northe Collector Mr. N.D. Agarwal has not taken any action against his complaint till date. Mr. Ravindra explained that on 27th August he called the talathi of the Panchayat Mr. PrashantKunkolikar to know if he will be available in the Panchayat but he did not answer his call although the phone was ringing. Later when Mr. Kunkolikar called him back he asked him if he will be coming to the panchayat that day but before he could answer the phone call was disconnected due to network problem. When Mr. Ravinder called him back as the call was disconnected MrKunkolikarstarted abusing him using filthy language and bad words. Shocked at the sudden behavior of Mr. Kunkolikar, he asked him the reason for being so abusive, to that MrKunkolikar told him that he has received an transfer order from V.P. Caurem and he blamed Mr. Velip for that. Although Mr. Velip tried to explain to him that he has no power or involvement to get him transferred and told him to verify the facts before wrongfully blaming him, but all his attempts failed to pacify him. In return his started abusing him by using the worst of the filthy language he has ever heard, unable to face suchan allegation and offence he disconnected the call. Soon after the call was disconnected Mr, Kunkolikar called Mr. Velip again and became more violent and threatened him that he will destroy his life and will teach him a lesson and will not spare even his family members to avenge his transfer. Mr. Velip further informed that It was decided that the Talathi will be available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday but without informing anyone, even the Panchayat members or displaying any Notice he started coming on Tuesday and Thursdayand most of the time he would come after 10.30 am and would leave the Panchayat before noon due to which the villagers had to return home without getting their work done. Mr. Velip explained that most of the people in the Village Panchayat ate ST and SC and hence need assistance to get their most of the paperwork done to avail various Govt. Schemes, and at times some people had informed him thatinstead of being lenient and considerate with the people the Talathi Mr. Kunkolikar was behaving very rudely with them and often make them come back several times giving skimpy reasons. He further alleged that some villagers had informed him that Mr. Kunkolikar would give preference to those who pay him money to get their work done and to avoid harassment some people would give in to the demands of Mr. Kunkolikar. Mr. Velip demanded that swift action from the Collector and the PI Quepem so that persons like Mr. Kunkolikar are curtailed before more people suffer due to his arrogance and greed for money. Mr. Rajesh Velip narrated his encounter which he suffered at the hands of Mr. Kunkolikar. He said that he had gone to the panchayat with all the documents to get the Residence Certificate of his Sister-in-law which was needed for the “Graha Adar” Scheme. As his sister-in-law had delivered just few days earlier and as she was not keeping in good health it was not possible for her to come to the panchayat. Even when the situation was explained to the Talathi he insisted that her presence is needed else the certificate cannot be issued unless they “Give him something”. Eventually after few days he had to bring his sister-in-law by auto rickshaw to get the certificate. He pleaded that enough people have suffered at the hands of Mr. Kunkolikar and action needs to be taken by the concerned authorities to stop the harassment faced by the villagers. Another villager Mr. SwapneshVelip from the locality said that once he had gone to the Panchayat to assist a handicap in getting the report to avail the benefit of the Govt. Scheme, but the Talathi Mr. Kunkolikar became furious and said that although they refrain from coming to the panchayat giving excuses they go to Quepem to collect the money they get. He further demanded Rs. 500 else to bring that handicap girl to the panchayat. As they were financially weak there was no other option but to bring her in auto rickshaw to the panchayat. Mrs. Radha Krishna Velipsaid that she had gone to the talathi go get the residence certificate of her daughter, but Mr. Kunkolikar refused to issue her the same although all the documents were submitted by her. He told her that some more documents were needed and refused to give her in writing the list of additional documents. When her daughter brought the situation to the notice of the QuepemMamlatdar he assured her that the talathi will do the needful and sent her back to the Panchayat. When she went to the panchayat Mr. Kunkolikar got violent and started abusing her for informing the Mamlatdar about him, and after bearing the harassment for more than month she could get the certificate. She further said that Mr. Kunkolikar has no respect to ladies and doesn’t hesitate before using filthy words to them at times which the poor villagers bear in silence due to the fear of not getting the required certificates from him. Another villager Mr. PrashantVelip faced a different ordeal when he went to get the residence certificate he was given an income certificate instead which he realized when he submitted the same at the Mamlatdar office at Quepem. When he went back to tell him that he had applied for residence certificate and not Income certificate he flatly demanded money saying that he will get the benefit of various schemes whereas he will get nothing for issuing the certificates to them. All the villagers demanded that steep action be taken by the concerned authorities against the Talathi Mr. Kunkolikar to save the hardship, insult faced by the people as Mr. Kunkolikar is a corrupt person and is taking advantage of Poor uneducated people.
