Political opponents join hands against CM Parsekar’s ‘college politics’
NIVRUTTI SHIRODKAR, PEDNE | 07 February 2016 19:14 IST
With Assembly election coming closer, the issue of denying government grants to the college managed by Congress leader Ramakant Khalap has started heating up.
Turning political guns against local MLA and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Mandrem constituency today witnessed a huge morcha led by leaders of various political parties.
The six-kilometre long march from Mandrem to Harmal witnessed equally large participation of the locals, who were shouting slogans against CM Parsekar.
The agitators, led by four ex-MLAs – Khalap, Sangeeta Parab, Babu Azgaonkar and Dayanand Sopte – even blocked the road at Harmal Tintto as Parsekar living in the village was found to be out of station.
After approaching all the government authorities as well as all the 40 legislators, Khalap has managed to create an atmosphere in support of his college, which he claims has been denied government grants.
The speakers at a public meeting expressed anguish over releasing grants to the college started by Parsekar in the close vicinity, almost after a year.
The college run by Khalap is granted affiliation by Goa University and its first batch has passed out after three years with 100% result.
The government however contends that Khalap’s college with similar courses will reduce students’ strength at Pernem Government College.
Speakers at the public meeting today asked how it could affect Pernem College when students from Mandrem constituency travel to Mapusa colleges, which are closer than Pernem.
The public rally, held on behalf of the Pedne Vikas Parishad and Mandrem College Anyay Nivaran Samiti, today threatened to spread the agitation state-wide if grants are not immediately released to Khalap’s college.
“It is not an injustice meted out to Khalap personally but the student community of the whole Mandrem constituency”, said Devendra Prabhudesai, local leader representing the Pedne Swabhimani Sanghatana.
Claiming that the issue is completely non-political, Khalap said the Mandrem Mandal Committee President Ramesh Shet Mandrekar is a managing committee member of his college.
He also alleged that Parsekar-led Goa government has taken a loan of Rs 50 crore from a private bank while releasing Rs 3.5 crore to his own college along with few other colleges.
NSUI president Mahabaleshwar Toraskar as well as Mahila Congress Sunita Verenkar have threatened to get students and women from all over Goa on the roads.
Others who spoke included Sangeeta Parab, NCP leaders Trajano D’Mello and Rajan Salelkar, Amarnath Panajikar, Babi Bagkar, Durgadas Kamat, Raghoba Gaude, Sachin Parab, Harmal ex-sarpanch Daniel D’Souza, Bharat Bagkar and Narayan Redkar.
Politics in education field??? Sorry state of affairs. Students should get equal opportunity to study in their own home town instead of travelling miles away. Grants are essential for upgrading infrastructure and facilities and to appoint well qualified teachers.
Although Khalap is trying to make the best out of bad situation with elections in mind can Parsekar explain why grants given by Parrikar as CM were withdrawn when he(Parsekar) became CM.This is on record.