Exactly a month back in
Candolim a public Rally followed by a public meeting (photo shown below) was
organized by the Candoikars under the leadership of a few youth from Candolim
and the same was supported by Mr. Prakash of Pilerne Forum and Mr. Edwin of NGO
from Verem. This was done to raise the
voice of the Candolim people against the exorbitant rate of daily wages the
migrant labourers are charging to the locals. During the public meeting addressed by
the local youth leaders and also by Prakash and Edwin it looked that this move
will move ahead till government succumbs to the demand of the locals. But No, the government has ignored the voice
of the Candolim people and this movement makers who threatened the government has
now turned into pale cockroaches thereby showing how cowards and cheats they
are. They have cheated the Candolim
locals of the confidence they had in their leaders.
In this connection this
writer has contacted Mr. Prakash to ascertain his views on this subject but he refused
to accept his responsibility on what he spoke(as indicated down below) adding that he spoke as indicated
on the assurance of Candolim leaders that they will not keep silent until the
results are acquired. Then Prakash said he was surprised not to get response
from the Candolim leaders to his calls making the whole scenario very bizarre. The
ten days deadline given to the government to right the wrong was already over but nothing seems to be moving further.
According to one
source, the sudden full stop by the Candolim leaders who initiated this
movement from moving ahead was due to the pressure brought-in by the top local political
leaders who want to close this movement
in its infancy only. Another story is also making a round saying that money
power was also used to purchase the local initiators of this movement. When this writer brought this news of
money power to the notice of Mr. Prakash, he too agreed to have heard this
story circulating around. On further
questioning the authenticity of this story, Prakash said “anything is possible
and more so because the Candolim initiators of this movement abruptly gone into
hibernation.
There is a saying in
Konkani which says “Lokhnacho Vavr Undrak Konne Sangla?”. The Candolim youth leaders who came forward
to initiate this movement acted like immature kids. To organize any movement is not a joke. Any Ladru – Pedru without firm roots on the
ground cannot make a movement. This is not a game of Marbles playing, instead
to do any movement you require solid “Marbles” in your Pants.
It is hoped now that
all those who were on the forefront to organize this movement will be
forthcoming with their response.
In their speeches, all the speakers especially Edwin and Prakash demanded from Goa government and especially from the Labour Minister for whom the organizers have already submitted their memorandum of demands, to streamline the daily wages of the migrant labourers with the instruction to follow these wages very rigidly. They have also requested the government to display the Wage Rates at the strategic locations not only in Candolim but also all over Goa. Mr. Prakash in his hard hitting speech demanded action from the government on this issue within the next 10 days failing which this campaign will be spread all over Goa.
