MNE forces removal of banner with Mapusa civic's name in Marathi, Konkani
Herald Correspondent
Porvorim, July 21
The Mapusa Nagrikancho Ekvott (MNE) met Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson
Roopa Bhakta and Chief Officer Dasharath Redkar on Tuesday and got them to
remove the banner depicting the name of the council in Marathi and Konkani
languages on the MMC building.
Mapusa Nagrikancho Ekvott Convenor Antonio Lobo submitted a memorandum to
the chairperson and the chief officer and stated that language is a
sensitive issue and that a decision cannot be taken by MMC without passing a
resolution in the matter.
Claiming that the issue requires wider consultation, Lobo said the MMC
cannot take a decision abruptly to erect a banner in Marathi and Konkani
language solely on the demand of the Shiv Sena.
He reminded them that when the MNE had sought permission to plant few
saplings in July-August 2009, the chairperson had told them a resolution of
the Municipal Council was necessary.
"Although a year has passed, a resolution to this effect has not been passed
by the MMC. It is therefore surprising that the chairperson and chief
officer unilaterally accepted the demands of Shiv Sena to put up a board in
Marathi without any reference to the council or adopting a resolution by
it," said Lobo.
"Any unilateral attempt to impose boards in Marathi language will be opposed
by MNE. Moreover, no boards in Konkani have been put up anywhere and if
there are no boards in official language, then there can be no boards in
Marathi too. Hence the banner put up by the MMC should be removed
immediately," claimed Lobo.
When contacted, Bhakta clarified that some Shiv Sena members had barged in
when a meeting of the Department Promoting Meeting was in progress.
"They started threatening the chief officer of dire consequences if the
board carrying the mane of Mapusa Municipal Council in Marathi is not put up
on the MMC building," said Bhakta.
"I had told them that I would put up their proposal before the ensuing
council meeting for discussion and if the resolution is passed, then I would
put the board in Marathi."
"Since the Shiv Sena members started using harsh language, the chief officer
assured them to put the board within eight days and accordingly on the
advice of the chief officer, the banner was put," clarified Bhakta.
MMC Chief Officer Dasharath Redkar explained that a notification issue by
the government permits the erection of boards in Marathi and Konkani
languages. "I had directed the MMC staff to put a proper board, and not a
banner, in Marathi and Konkani languages," said Redkar.
When Lobo asked the chief officer if he had seen the banner put upon the MMC
building, Redkar replied in the negative.
"I cannot digest the answer given by the chief officer that he has not seen
the banner put up on the MMC building," replied Lobo. He pointed out to the
chief officer that the banner accords first priority to Marathi and then for
the Konkani language. "Since Konkani is the official language, it must get
first priority and hence this banner should be removed immediately."
insisted Lobo.
The chief officer and the chairperson later agreed to the demand by the MNE
and ordered the removal of the banner.
Cheers
floriano
goasuraj
9890470896
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