Women panchayat members to hold sway over coastal villages in Salcete

Colva: In the seven coastal villages of Salcete taluka women have captured 47.36% of the wards. In as many as four villages women out-number their male counterparts.

Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Orlim, Carmona and Cavelossim constitute coastal villages of Salcete.

In the seven wards of Betalbatim panchayat, three women have emerged victorious. This includes Viola, wife of former tourism minister Francisco ‘Mickky’ Pacheco. Ilma Dias was declared successful in the general category ward by defeating ex-sarpanch Costancio Miranda. The post of deputy sarpanch is reserved for women.

Husband and wife duo Maria Filomena Rato also won along with her husband ex-deputy sarpanch. The fourth woman to win in Betalbatim was Nazima Rebello

In Benaulim panchayat, eight women claimed victory in the 11 wards thereby reducing the men to a minority.

While four women won in general category wards, four others were declared winners from wards reser ved for women.

Ex-sarpanchs Ezlina Fernandes and Diella Fernandes, Felicia Noronha, Glyda Rodrigues e Fernandes contested in the general category to claim success, while ex-sarpanch Vencila Rodrigues, Gencia Colaco, Resica Fernandes and Rini Mascarenhas contested from wards reserved for women.

Husband and wife duos — Xavier Pereira and Diella and David Fernandes and Vencila Rodrigues — will continue in the Benaulim panchayat for a second term as couples.

Felicia Noronha, who was a panchayat member during the last term, defeated ex-deputy sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudessai who tried his luck in her ward as his was reserved for women.

Four women — Sandra Fernandes, Lavita Pinto, Vailona Fernandes and Neslyn Jorge will dominate the seven-member panchayat in Carmona. Vailona won in the general category ward.

In Orlim also, four women will hold sway in the seven-member panchayat. Tamica Rosa, who completed her five-year term as sarpanch, claimed her victory by contesting from general category ward.

Husband-wife duo Simon Pereira and Zeetta set the record in the village as being the first couple to enter the panchayat body. Cosma Martins is the wife of ex-panch Keizar Martins. The fourth successful contestant is Nascimenta Fernandes.

In the nine-member Varca panchayat, four women made it to the local governing body. Sharon D’Costa, daughter of former chief minister Churchill Alemao, Nora Dias e Rodrigues and Salesiana Fernandes won from wards reserved for women. Flavia Baretto battled it out in the general category to claim victory. Even though men have a majority, the post of the sarpanch is reserved for women.

In Cavelossim panchayat with seven wards, three women Swizel Barreto, Delfina Luis and Rinku Lobo claimed victories from reserved wards.

Colva panchayat which is made-up of nine wards, is also reserved for woman sarpanch. Even though six men have been elected, the three women — Edna Serrao, Teresa Silva and ex-sarpanch Suzie Fernandes — will hold sway over the functioning of the local body.