MARGAO
After holding the reins of the Margao Municipal Council for 19 months, Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes was finally transferred to head the Goa State Commission for Backward Classes as its Member Secretary.
Rohidas Kadam has been posted as the new MMC Chief Officer.
Agnelo had joined the Margao civic body as its Chief Officer during the last term 19 months ago when relations between the Municipal chairperson and the then Chief Officer had hit a low. He not only managed to work with the elected Council till the time when the civic body went to the polls in April last year, but virtually completed one year in office working with the new body headed by Chairperson Lyndon Pereira.
During his stint in office, Agnelo had initiated a host of measures to end the garbage woes by installing a bio-methanation plant, the first one in South Goa and has set in motion the process to recover the outstanding tax dues.
He had put his foot down when the administration was insisting on commissioning all the three bio-methanation plants in the city, by issuing clear directions that the remaining two plants will become a reality only after the commissioned plant becomes a success.
After taking over the reins of office, the Chief Officer stressed on accessibility to the public, as he threw open the doors of his chamber to members of the public at all times, including the students and senior citizens.
Many of his initiatives, including the proposal to revive the Closed Circuit TV surveillance cameras in the commercial capital hit a roadblock and left unimplemented.
Agnelo admitted that in the later months of his tenure he faced roadblock to the progressive work and hence many of his initiatives have been left unimplemented. The Covid-19 pandemic, the Municipal elections in 2021 and the Assembly elections earlier in 2022 derailed the works planned by him for the city. As the Incident Commandant during the Covid-19 pandemic, Agnelo tried to open Covid centres in Margao and Fatorda during the second wave.
His active involvement in reviving the Carnival of yesteryears in the city was welcomed by the citizens.
Meanwhile, commenting on the transfer of MMC Chief Officer, Agnelo Fernadnes, convenor of Shadow Council for Margao, Savio Coutinho said it is always a nightmare for any officer posted at the Margao Municipal Council on account of the multiple corner pressures. “We are indeed appreciative that outgoing Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes could maneuver all the forces and set up the half priced 5TPD bio-methanation plant at the SGPDA market,” Couitnho added.
