Daijiworld Media Network - Canacona

Canacona, Jan 4: The Goa Forward Party (GFP), Revolutionary Goans (RG) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have demanded that Canacona taluka be excluded from the proposed new district, Kushavati, stating that its inclusion would cause serious inconvenience to local residents.

AAP general secretary (campaign) Sandesh Telekar said that while the creation of a third district was acceptable, the inclusion of Canacona was “geographically inappropriate and incorrect”. He alleged that the government had failed to take people into confidence before taking such a major decision.

“The division into three districts could have been done in a much better manner. How can the government take decisions of this magnitude without consulting the people?” Telekar questioned.

Former minister and GFP leader Isidore Fernandes also rejected the explanations offered by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the BJP, who have claimed that the Kushavati district would benefit Canacona residents.

“If the government was truly serious about providing better and more accessible administration to the people of Canacona, there should have been proper planning. The inclusion of Canacona in the third district was not a necessity at all,” Fernandes said.

Meanwhile, defending the move, BJP state general secretary Sarvanand Bhagat said the creation of a new district would facilitate the development of key infrastructure, including improved road connectivity, a district hospital, educational institutions and sports complexes.

The demand for excluding Canacona has added to the growing political debate over the proposed reorganisation of districts in Goa.