MARGAO
The district Collector intervened after the no nonsense Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral at a meeting convened by Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte with South MLAs at the district Collectorate repeatedly insisted in his inimitable fashion to make the revenue officials understand of their legal rights while dispensing justice to the common man. As the Curchorem MLA went about citing two instances, including the Cacora village boundary issue, Collector Anjali reminded that the meeting should not turn into a bashing of officials.
Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and MLAs Digambar Kamat, Ravi Naik, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Luizinho Faleiro, Isidore Fernandes, Alina Saldanha, Wilfred D'Sa looked on, as the Collector conveyed a message that she has reservations over the way the officials were being addressed by the MLA. While making clear that she takes the responsibility for her officials, she sent a message that political bashing of the officials is not acceptable.
While the ministers and MLAs were stunned by the Collector's observation, Nilesh was quick to clarify that he is not indulging in any bashing, downplaying his comments saying the officials are all his friends. "I don't want to bash anyone, but have only asked the minister to guide them. No doubt, they work sincerely, but they need guidance in disposing off the cases," Nilesh said.
When later asked to comment on the episode, the Revenue Minister said "the Collector has spoken what she has felt. The way to communicate might not be the right way from the respective persons. We will address the issue. The deputy collectors and mamlatdars have responsibilities and the common man has huge expectations. We have to work as a team. I cannot be I and you, but we," he said.
Khaunte said the Revenue department will hold orientation workshop on soft skills for the revenue officials. "There's a need to update oneself and how to deal with the people. People's expectations have changed and we have to meet the expectations," he said.
Asked whether BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral is hurt with the ruling government, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai later shot back "I do not think that Nilesh is hurt. Since his voice is a bit loud, it appears that he is hurt. To do his work, Nilesh need not come to me or Khaunte when he has the Chief Minister to do his work."
