Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The proposed creation of a third district in Goa triggered sharp political reactions, even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that Quepem taluka would serve as the headquarters of the new district and assured the opposition that the much-awaited 2023 committee report would be shared.
Speaking after an all-party meeting, Sawant said the third district is being created as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of having smaller districts across the country to ensure that administration reaches every doorstep. He said the proposed district will comprise the talukas of Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona, with Quepem as its headquarters.
The announcement, however, came amid criticism from opposition leaders who accused the government of proceeding in a hasty and opaque manner without making the committee report public.
Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao said that while a meeting on the third district was held on Monday, the crucial 2023 report forming the basis of the proposal was not shared with the opposition. “The government is moving ahead without placing the report before the legislature or making it public, and is relying only on a PowerPoint presentation,” Alemao said, alleging a lack of transparency in a decision with far-reaching administrative and financial implications.
St Cruz MLA Viresh Borkar echoed the criticism, claiming that the report has neither been tabled in the House nor made public, despite the Cabinet having approved the proposal. He further alleged that the Chief Minister was planning to notify the new district by December 31 without consulting the opposition. “Such a major decision cannot be taken unilaterally. The people of Goa are being kept in the dark,” Borkar said.
AAP MLA Cruz Silva pointed out that a committee formed in 2023 had prepared a detailed report on the third district, but it has not yet been shared. He said opposition MLAs are not against the creation of a new district, but want clarity on the financial burden and administrative implications. Following the objections, CM Sawant assured that the report would be shared and that suggestions from stakeholders would be invited within the next 10 days.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Altone D’Costa said he had vociferously demanded that Quepem be made the headquarters of the third district, citing convenience for people from his constituency and neighbouring areas. The government had earlier resolved to set up the headquarters at Curchorem.
Adding to the mixed signals, Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said the talukas of Dharbandora, Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem would be included in the proposed district, but maintained that the headquarters was yet to be finalised, underscoring the confusion surrounding the plan.
At present, Goa has two districts — North Goa and South Goa. North Goa comprises Bardez, Tiswadi, Pernem, Bicholim and Sattari talukas, while South Goa includes Ponda, Mormugao, Salcete, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona.
The seven-member committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, was constituted in November 2023 to examine the need for a third district in view of Goa’s increasing population and overall development requirements.
