Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: With the tenure of several municipal councils coming to an end, the State government has stepped in to appoint administrators for six civic bodies, paving the way for municipal elections expected to be held in May.
As per an official notification, administrators will assume charge in phases—Bicholim, Curchorem-Cacora, Canacona, and Pernem from April 1, Cuncolim from April 6, and Valpoi from April 9.
Akshay Potekar, director (administration) in the DGP’s office, has been assigned to Bicholim. Sagar Gaude, managing director of the Goa Education Development Corporation, will oversee Curchorem-Cacora. Shankar Gaonkar, member-secretary of Kala Academy, has been appointed for Canacona, while Assistant Excise Commissioner Shrikant Pednekar will take charge of Pernem.
In Cuncolim, responsibilities have been handed to South Goa Zilla Panchayat CEO Vikas Kamble, and Valpoi will be administered by Forest Settlement Officer Raju Dessai.
Officials clarified that these are routine interim arrangements aimed at maintaining uninterrupted civic services until newly elected councils take over. The administrators will manage daily operations such as sanitation, infrastructure upkeep, and revenue collection.
In parallel, the Goa State Election Commission has initiated groundwork for the upcoming elections by starting the ward delimitation process. Under provisions of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968, municipal areas are being reorganized into wards for eleven councils—Pernem, Valpoi, Bicholim, Mapusa, Mormugao, Margao, Cuncolim, Quepem, Canacona, Curchorem-Cacora, and Sanguem.
Deputy Collectors have been designated as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) for their respective talukas, while Mamlatdars will function as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs).
Draft ward layouts have been made available for public review at municipal and Mamlatdar offices from March 31 to April 7, excluding holidays. Citizens can submit suggestions, corrections, or objections to the concerned EROs until 5 pm on April 7.
