Govt to take final decision as many committees cancel Shigmo festivities

The State Government is likely to take a final decision on the conduct of Shigmo festivities In the state as many of the Municipal Councils and Shigmo committees have decided to cancel the celebrations in view of the untimely demise of late Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar who passed away last week.

Except for Ponda, Vasco, Quepem, Margao, Sanguem, Valpoi and Canacona, the rest of the Municipal councils have officially communicated their decisions to cancel the Shigmo parades and celebrations in their respective areas.

Following the sad demise of Mr. Parrikar, the government had canceled Shigmo festivities between March 21-24 in observance of the seven-day mourning declared in the State.

A meeting was held at the Department of Tourism today and was chaired by the Hon’ble Secretary for Tourism, Mr. J . Ashok Kumar and Director of Tourism, Mr. Sanjiv Gadkar who sought the views and suggestions from the Municipal councils and Shigmo Committees on their final decisions regarding the conduct of Shigmo festivities in their municipal areas.

For those Municipal Councils who are continuing with their plans of conducting the Shigmo parades and festivities, Mr. Kumar informed them that the proposal would be forwarded to the government to take a final decision. This would also be subject to approvals from the Election Commission in view of the model code of conduct being in force in Goa for the by-polls.

To a request from those Municipal Councils who are not conducting Shigmo celebrations but have already incurred initial expenses towards preparations, the Secretary Tourism today requested the concerned representatives to submit the accounts for consideration of compensation as sought for by the committees.

An appeal was also made to the Municipal Councils in whose areas the Shigmo parades are proposed to be conducted that they would not be allowed to continue with the parades beyond 10 p.m. due to the model code of conduct and that they should fully corporate with the police in this regard.

The Secretary Tourism also requested those Municipal Councils in whose areas Shigmo parades would be held that there should be full adherence to the model code of conduct which has come into the effect in view of the by-polls to be held in Goa in April.

A tentative schedule was also prepared for Shigmo parades in the seven municipal areas subject to government approval: Ponda (March 28), Vasco (March 29), Quepem (March 30), Margao (March 31), Sanguem (April 1), Valpoi (April 3rd or 4th ) & Canacona (April 5).