To include Canacona, Sanguem and Dharbandora
Panaji: A third district for Goa comprising the four remote talukas of Canacona, Quepem, Sanguem and Dharbandora is likely to become a reality soon with headquarters likely in Quepem.
With the government considering the proposal actively and positively, the third district may be carved out in the upcoming financial year.
A panel constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary has already submitted its proposal to the government. The panel has suggested establishing Quepem as the headquarters of the third district with sub-district offices at Dharbandora and Sanguem, a senior official in the administration said.
Sources said the proposal would come soon before the cabinet for approval following which it will be tabled in the state legislative assembly.
According to sources, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant may announce creation of the third district in his budget speech for the financial year 2025-26 during the budget session in March. Sawant has already said the proposal for establishing the third district is in the final stage.
The state government had constituted an eight-member committee to assess the feasibility of financial aspects and administration for a third district. The work of the panel also involved a study on whether the creation of the district would lead to development and welfare of the people in general and the backward talukas in particular.
The committee was also given a mandate to suggest the boundaries of the district after considering various aspects such as population, economic status, availability of infrastructure and public opinion.
The idea of having a third district for Goa was initially mooted by Ponda MLA Ravi Naik. Later, it was endorsed by Speaker of the state legislative assembly Ramesh Tawadkar, suggesting the four talukas to be included in the new district. Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar and Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral have also supported the proposal.
Recently, Cabral said the third district should be designated as a tribal district, considering the sizeable population of scheduled tribes in the four talukas to be included in the district.
Once the third district is formally created, Salcete, Ponda and Mormugao talukas would be in one district, while Tiswadi, Bardez, Pernem, Bicholim and Sattari talukas would be a part of another district.
