NIRGOSH GAUDE | NT
PONDA
With all other candidates being first timers, it seems the MGP’s chief ministerial candidate Sudin Dhavalikar will have a cakewalk in Marcaim constituency where he has ruled for last four terms.
Being MLA of Marcaim for last 16 years, Dhavalikar has ‘reached out’ to most of his constituents, but still there are certain issues, which have not been resolved for years.
The candidates include Surel Tilve (AAP), Pradeep Shet (BJP), Urmila Naik (Congress) and Hanumant Naik (Independent). Though the sitting MLA Dhavalikar seems to be the most favoured in the constituency, other four are trying hard to win over people and upset the apple’s cart.
Marcaim constituency comprises panchayats, including Marcaim, Kavlem, Bandora, Durbhat, Agapur, Wadi Talavlim and Kundaim. The major issue in Marcaim is the issue of Navdurga temple. Other areas of concern are lack of health facilities, poor bridge network, lack of agricultural growth, poor job avenues, rise in anti-social elements and so on.
Navdurga temple issue
The locals are agitating for the last one year seeking equal worship rights in Navdurga temple and are opposing the moves to replace the Navdurga idol by mahajans. They are also demanding scrapping of discriminatory Mahajans Act and introduction of the Hindu Upasana Act.
Poor bridge connectivity
After the canoe tragedy in June 1984, a ferry service was introduced from Marcaim to Cortalim. At present, the government operates two ferries on the 1.5 km route. This is considered to be one of the longest and most dangerous routes as the ferries have drifted due to heavy winds. A bridge on Marcaim-Agaccaim route is the need of the hour, feel the locals. The Durbhat-Agapur bridge is also needed they say.
Ill-equipped primary health centre
Considering the population in Marcaim and the two major industrial estates, the constituency needs well-equipped healthcare facilities. Marcaim has a primary health centre, but lacks basic facilities. The health centre that was built on land admeasuring around 5,000 square metre in 1992 has enough space for its upgradation, but it has not witnessed any improvement. Due to lack of proper doctors, technician and other basic facilities, people have to go to Goa Medical College and Hospital.
The locals say that the health centre can be upgraded by making available basic facilities and specialist doctors. The PHC has an operation theatre as well, but it is not used because there is no surgeon made available. One of the staff of the health centre says that the operation theatre was last used around three years ago when the Ponda ID hospital was temporarily moved to the PHC premises as the new building of the hospital was underconstruction.
Lack of agricultural improvement
Marcaim, which is part of Ponda taluka, has a large area under agricultural land, which includes arecanut, coconut, paddy and other plantations. But for last several years, Marcaim farmers have not witnessed any improvement on agricultural front. In spite of easy availability of water, there have been no efforts to improve irrigation facilities.
Employment issue
There are two industrial estates here at Kundaim and Marcaim, but the people say that the rule of providing 80 per cent jobs to the locals is not followed by the two industrial estates. Locals say that the government of the day, which has assured of providing 50,000 jobs, should look into whether the industrial industries are doing any justice to the local youth as far as jobs are concerned.
Ineffective policing
The two industrial estates have witnessed several crimes in the past and the villagers are demanding a police station so that there can be a check on anti-social elements in the area.
Apart from these issues, the locals are demanding improvement in infrastructure of interior schools and anganwadis. A local youth said that they want a playground for cricket in Marcaim. There is a ground and it just needs to be developed, he said. Local MLA had started work of the ground, but it is still under construction for years.