“Rajiv Gandhi Would Have Been Deeply Saddened to See That Even Today the Constitutional Rights of the ST Community Are Not Being Implemented in Goa”: Girish Chodankar

GPCC Pays Rich Tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on His Birth Anniversary

Goa Khabar: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) observed the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Rajiv Gandhi with deep respect and paid rich tributes to the visionary leader at the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial in Bambolim.

GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes, former MP Francisco Sardinha, MLA Carlos Alvares, former Mayor Surendra Furtado and other senior leaders paid tributes by garlanding the statue of Rajiv Gandhi. Other party leaders, office-bearers and workers also offered floral tributes.

On the occasion of Sadbhavana Diwas, GPCC President Girish Chodankar administered the Sadbhavana pledge to those present.

Speaking at the programme held at Congress headquarters Panjim, Chodankar highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s immense contribution to taking India towards modernisation and technological advancement. He said Rajiv Gandhi introduced Information Technology, computers and modern technology in India at a time when the BJP had opposed such initiatives.

“Rajiv Gandhi had the vision to take India forward. He introduced IT, computers and technology when the BJP opposed them. He also reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years, empowering the youth to participate in the democratic process. The BJP had opposed this historic decision too. But Rajiv Gandhi remained committed to taking India forward,” Chodankar said.

He also highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution towards strengthening grassroots democracy and introducing reservation in local bodies for SC, ST, OBC and women.

Referring to the long-pending issue of ST Political reservation in Goa, Chodankar said, “Rajiv Gandhi would have been deeply saddened to see that even today the constitutional rights of the ST community are not being implemented in Goa.”

He alleged that the BJP Government was playing with the sentiments of the ST community by failing to implement their constitutional rights.

Chodankar further alleged that ₹3,200 crore meant for Tribal Sub-Plan meant for welfare of the ST community has not been utilised for ST welfare and has instead been diverted towards other events. He said the funds were the rightful entitlement of the ST community and their diversion amounted to a grave injustice.

Recalling the steps taken by the UPA Government, Chodankar said that in 2013, under Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the UPA Government had taken steps to provide ST reservation wherever there was a sizeable ST population. An Ordinance was brought and published in the Gazette, but the BJP Government had failed to implement ST Political reservation in Goa despite the passage of years.

“The BJP Government has failed to implement ST reservation and continues to play with the sentiments of the ST community,” Chodankar said.

He further said that while Rajiv Gandhi had envisioned Information Technology and modern technology as instruments for India’s progress, the BJP was today allegedly misusing technology for destructive and divisive purposes.

Former MP Francisco Sardinha, Working Presidents MLA Carlos Alvares and Sunil Kawthankar,and Mahila President Dr.Pratiksha Khalap also paid rich tributes to Rajiv Gandhi and highlighted his vision and mission of building a modern, progressive and technologically advanced India.

The programme was attended by GPCC Spokespersons Amit Palekar, Samil Volvoikar, Savio Coutinho, Vivek Dsilva and Mahesh Mhambre, Social media chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, OBC chairman Sharad Chopdekar, Minority Chairman Nasir khan, former District Presidents Virendra Shirodkar and Savio D’silva along with Pratibha Borkar, Glenn Cabral , Nilesh Gomes, Pradip Harmalkar and other leaders, office-bearers and workers.

The programme was compered by Altinho Gomes, while Seva Dal Chief Organiser Rajan Ghate proposed the vote of thanks.