the goan I network
MAPUSA
For over two months, the council has been functioning without the services of a full-time chief officer (CO).
“We need a full-time chief officer in Mapusa. For the first time in the history of this council, we have functioned without a full-time CO for such a long time,” complained MMC Chairperson Sandip Falari.
He said a lot of works were getting blocked and it indirectly reflected on the functioning of the civic body.
“No files can be cleared without the CO’s signature. A council of our size needs a full-time CO,” he said.
The incumbent CO, Gurudas Dessai was posted to the MMC during the assembly election transfers. When elections were announced, Dessai was posted as the Returning Officer for the Mapusa constituency.
“Dessai is presently on leave. Deputy Collector Chandrakant Shetkar is temporarily officiating as the CO,” the chairperson informed.
He said the chief minister and the urban development minister have been informed about the predicament of the council and the necessity of a full-time CO.
“We expect to get a new CO at least by next week. Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar was busy with the budget exercise. Soon after presenting the budget, the CM is expected to apply his mind on staff crunch,” Falari said.
It may be recalled that development works came to a halt due to model code of conduct soon after the elections were announced in January. Many developmental proposals could not be taken up due to the election code.
The civic body is fighting to ensure completion of a lot of works including repair of roads before the monsoon sets in.
