Inquiry into alleged embezzlement remains stalled
MARGAO
Has the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) administration abandoned efforts to recover the alleged embezzled feast fair revenue amounting to nearly Rs 18 lakh?
With the tenure of the elected municipal council having ended, attention has now shifted to MMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar and government-appointed Administrator Srinet Kothwale to ensure the recovery of the missing funds and bring the inquiry to its logical conclusion.
It has been nearly two years since the alleged misappropriation of feast fair revenue came to light. However, the civic body is yet to recover the amount from the staff concerned, raising questions over the pace and seriousness of the proceedings.
The departmental inquiry instituted by the MMC after the irregularity surfaced appears to have reached a dead end. Sources said that only one hearing has taken place since the inquiry was initiated.
According to sources, the staff member facing the inquiry had filed objections to the proceedings. However, senior officials are yet to decide whether to reject the objections and continue the inquiry or accept them and close the proceedings altogether.
Adding to the delay, the municipal official who was conducting the inquiry has since been transferred to the Mormugao Municipal Council. Sources said that neither has a decision been taken on the objections filed by the staffer nor has the MMC appointed another officer to continue the inquiry.
As a result, the civic body has failed to recover the missing amount, prompting concerns over the administration’s commitment to recovering public funds.
“The MMC Chief Officer should explain to the people of Margao the present status of the inquiry and why the civic body has failed to recover such a huge amount. The elected councillors could not recover the money during their tenure. One hopes that the Chief Officer and the Administrator will now take concrete steps to ensure recovery of the amount,” a civic official said.
The prolonged delay in concluding the inquiry and recovering the alleged embezzled revenue has once again brought the issue into focus, with citizens awaiting accountability and action from the municipal administration.
