Has the former Fatorda MLA, Damu Naik had the last laugh?
In the sudden transfer of Margao municipality, ChiefOfficer, Srinet Kotwale, he perhaps has.
Kotwale’s term in Margao Municipal Council lasted less thansix months.
Posted in Margao in July, Kotwale faced flak from former BJPMLA, Damu Naik and his band of cronies posing as NGO’s in Fatorda.
But Kotwale remained focused on his job to clear theillegalities dotting the commercial town.
During his five month stint, his focus was on the PILagainst Moti Dongor in bid to evict illegal migrants from former chiefminister’s vote bank area, clearing illegal encroachments in the New Market andGandhi Market against the wishes of Margao market’s don Babu Azgaonkar besidescreating new parking space in the town.
But Kotwale didn’t find favour with NGO members LaurelAbranches and Melvin Fernandes who are also BJP members and close aides of DamuNaik.
Laurel and Melwyn have continuously organized dharnasoutside the MMC for his removal.
“Kotwale was acting under political pressure and has beentaking up only certain issues in the Margao municipal areas. He ignored issueslike illegal mobile towers, illegal structures by a school and illegalencroachment on pavements by certain individuals,” Damu Naik had said a fewweeks back while asserting that he had spoken to Urban Development Minister,Francis D’Souza and Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar for his ouster.
Playing down all the allegations leveled against him,Kotwale, who travels 120 kms to report to work said: “I never asked for atransfer because of the long distance, as alleged by some. This is a normalgovernment transfer and I have been appointed as General Manager of IndustriesDepartment. I do not foresee any political pressure in the matter.”
Sandhya Kamat who has come in place of Kotwale after astormy appointment of over two years as Quepem Deputy Collector andSub-Magistrate, who overlooked majority of the battles in the mining trafficmess in Cavrem, has a different take on her appointment.
“I have been promotedas a Zone-I Officer. I look at my appointment as the Chief Officer of Margao asa promotion. I know there are huge challenges ahead and so many tricky issuesto deal with. But I am open to take up these issues for discussion,” she said.
Margao Chairperson Arthur D’Silva who is a close aide ofDeputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza has a different take in the matter: “Ihave always saw Kotwale as a young and dynamic officer and have backed alldecisions taken by him. I have approached the Urban Development Minister and amconfident that the order will be reversed and Kotwale will be re-appointed asthe CO.”
