Margao:- Speaking after an event in collaboration with the Postal Department at Goemkar Ghor, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai called for a dedicated Postal Circle for Goa, and pressed for the increased employment for Goemkars in the postal services. “I have already urged the head of the Postal Department to escalate this issue to the highest level. Goa deserves a dedicated Postal Circle, separate from Maharashtra. What is the point of having a ‘double engine sarkar’ if we cannot even have our own postal identity? The Maharashtra Postal Circle does not serve Goa’s unique needs. Ever since the Opinion Poll agitation, we have made it clear that Goa has a distinct identity and statehood. Yet, being under Maharashtra’s Postal Circle feels like we are still treated as a colony of a larger state”, Vijai Sardesai remarked.
The event was held to benefit the poor and underserved communities in Fatorda, and to make them aware of the union government schemes and policies. “Our primary goal is to improve the financial literacy of locals and to ensure that the various schemes and services provided by the Postal Department reach the people who need them most”, the Fatorda MLA said, while commending the Postal Department for dedicating their weekend to the program, and promised to extend his party’s and his personal support to all their efforts.
“Historically, the postman has been a key figure in our villages, delivering money orders, bills, salary correspondence, and other important services. Unfortunately, today we see fewer Goans employed as postmen, and this has become a major concern. The new appointments often do not speak Konkani, which is a fundamental issue for us. The Postal Department must prioritize hiring Konkani-speaking Goans for these essential jobs not only to make basic communication possible but also to create a cultural connect with the locals”, Vijai said, adding that the threat of losing this age-old correspondence between the residents and the postmen is looming, with more and more people from outside the state replacing Goans.
Vijai urged all Goemkars to think and act with clarity and determination if we wished to be considered and treated like a unique and distinct state. “We must not allow ourselves to be divided, and vote for a party like the BJP, which lacks the will and courage to stand up for Goa’s independent administrative needs. The BJP leaders in Goa have no guts to demand a separate Postal Circle for Goa, which is an essential step in asserting our state’s administrative autonomy and dignity”. Vijai Sardesai promised to constantly and diligently push for this demand, and fulfil his party’s regionalistic promise for fighting for the hopes and aspirations of Goemkars.
