Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Strange but true, a family in Velsao had been living a life without electricity for the last 80 years, and all their day-to-day activities and festivals were spent under a lamp for the last eight decades
The information came to light as people carrying out a survey in the area realised that the Satu Satarkar family comprising of a couple (around 80 years of Age) did not have enough means to even apply for a connection and were not very educated and decided to live without the electricity for the last many years.
When contacted, Satu Satarkar, around 80 years of Age, said that he would initially work on fishing canoes to pull the nets but could not continue working as Age caught up.
The couple said they had all the other documents, like the election cards, and despite having voted for so many years, neither politician nor the political party had come to their rescue.
Former journalist Surendra Madkaikar speaking to the media, said he had realised about the family when he had been to Velsao some time ago.
“This family has been without electricity for so many years, and their financial condition is very poor, and there is no income source. I have now decided to help them by enrolling them under the Atal Asra scheme and Dayanand Social welfare scheme, and none of the people tried to help them get enrolled on any social schemes which could help them with the 3000 rs assistance given by the Government. The Atal Asra scheme may get him Rs 1.5 lakhs which is not enough to repair his house, and I appeal to many philanthropists in Goa to come forward and help them build the house and get them the electrical connection that will improve the quality of life at this Age. I also urge the elected representatives and the Government to help this family get a good life,” said Madkaikar.
Meanwhile, after news broke out, Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, Velsao panch Remedios Noronha, and social worker Roquezinho D’Souza reached the site within a few minutes and met the Satarkar family and also assured to offer them all the help required.
Speaking to the media, Anton Vas said that he could understand the situation faced by the family as he has also grown up in a mud house with minimal facilities.
“I am also shocked to realise that this family has been living without electricity for so many years, and I only realised from the media about the family. I feel that I may fall short, but I assure you that I will do whatever I can to help the family with all the facilities with immediate effect. I have already spoken to the panch member, and he also got them the NOC, but they are so poor that they did not have the money to apply or follow the procedure. We have now assured to take their file in the department and get it processed, and I will also provide them financial aid in whatever way I can so that they do not have to suffer again without basic facilities,” said Vas.
Social worker Roquezinho D’Souza said that Anton Vas was returning to Cortalim after meeting the CM, and he saw the video in the media on his way back.
“He is not like others and keeps things for tomorrow and insisted that we meet the family immediately without any delay to sort out the issue. He immediately called the panch member and found out details of the person and his Electricity connection NOC,” he said.
Vas has now met the family and assured to get him the connection and spend for all the procedures besides assuring him to provide financial aid to the family from his side. He is a grass root MLA and works for the people immediately on top priority, said D’Souza
