Srinet Kotwale isn’t the mayor of Margao (or Chairperson asthey call it here). He is just the Chief officer. But in the time that this“just about thirty” officer has been in his ancient office, he has done enoughgood to get polticians of all hues scurrying to get him removed.
Kotwale, still doesn’t get greeted with claps when he walksinto restaurants-if he does, or other public places like the celebrity New Yorkex Mayor Rudi Giuliani did. But for the ordinary man in Margao, he meansbusiness, in the eral sense of doing work. And that does mean a lot.
Kotwale was handpicked by the Parrikar government to managethe massive Margao Municipal Council in the backyard of the veteran formerChief Minister Digambar Kamat. And he has begun to show ‘Giuliani-esque’tendencies “A government officer should never work to make a name but work forthe department or office concerned, more importantly to serve the people,” hesaid in a matter of fact tone.
His goals are simple and in your face. “I have no long termgoals for Margao. I want to see the city has no illegal constructions, zeroencroachments and smooth flowing traffic.”
Kotwale began by taking action on illegalities. First hedecided to get rid of the fish vendors at the old market, who illegallyoccupied the place. Not surprisingly, hefaced a series of protests from the vendors and the wrath of former SportsMinister, Babu Azgaonkar. But Kotwalewas unfazed. “The market was de-notified way back in 1997 and all these vendorshave stalls in the new SPGDA market. Most of them have sold their stalls andreturned to the main city,” Kotwale said.
Even when Mickky Pacheco came out in support of the fishvendors and surrounded the municipality, calling the officer an “outsider” itmade little impact on him.“The question is not of livelihood but hygiene. Ibelieve the case is closed and will not review it,” asserts Kotwale.
But efficiency rubs politicians of all hues, the wrong way.BJP members led by former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik, Laurel Abranches, MelwinFernandes and others organized a dharna outside the municipality demandingKotwale’s transfer.
“The municipality has not changed one bit despite change inthe Chief Officer. Issues raised by citizens have fallen on deaf ears. I willraise the issue of bringing a more efficient (read compliant) officer in Margaowith my government,” said former MLA Damu Naik.
Their grouse was that he failed to curb an illegalconstruction at a school in Fatorda. He also failed to take action against anencroachment on a footpath in Margao by a petrol pump.
“It’s weird how politically motivated activists come andstall the day to day functioning of the municipality. I have already submittedmy report of the illegal construction and fixed dates for hearing,” Kotwaledefended.
