Members seek urgent pre-monsoon measures, record digitisation and faster proposal clearances
The state of affairs at the office of the Administrator of South Goa Comunidades building in Margao.
MARGAO
As the Public Works Department (PWD) gears up to commence the long-pending repair and renovation works of the decades-old South Goa Administrator of Comunidades building in Margao, representatives of various comunidades have stressed the urgent need to prioritise repairs to the building’s deteriorating roof before the onset of the monsoon.
The demand was raised during a meeting convened earlier this week by South Goa Additional Collector-I, Srinet Kothwale, where comunidade components were briefed on the steps initiated by the PWD Division VIII (Buildings-South) for the restoration of the heritage structure.
During the meeting, the Additional Collector informed members that the government has already granted Administrative Approval for the project and that the PWD is in the process of securing expenditure sanction from the Finance Department. Once the formalities are completed, the renovation work is expected to commence within the next few days.
Emphasising the fragile condition of the building, the comunidade representatives urged the authorities to undertake roof repairs on priority to prevent further structural deterioration caused by rainwater seepage and leakages during the upcoming monsoon season.
The members pointed out that a gutter and drainage system exists along the inner side of the external walls on the rooftop, which requires proper covering and effective drainage management during the repair works. According to them, special attention must be paid to ensuring smooth diversion of rainwater so as to avoid seepage into the interior portions of the building.
The comunidade representatives also requested that their members be kept informed and involved during the execution phase of the renovation project. They sought directions to the PWD to share relevant drawings, plans and copies of the work order to facilitate coordination and ensure transparency throughout the process. The members further appealed to the authorities to ensure that no financial burden arising out of the renovation project is imposed on the comunidades.
At the meeting, the comunidade members appreciated the efforts taken by PWD Minister Digambar Kamat in pushing forward the long-delayed renovation of the historic comunidade building in Margao. They noted that the restoration work had remained pending for a considerable period and expressed satisfaction that the project was finally moving towards implementation.
The representatives also assured the administration and the PWD of their full cooperation to ensure smooth and timely completion of the renovation work.
Responding to the concerns raised, Additional Collector Kothwale assured the members that all issues and suggestions discussed during the meeting had been taken note of and would be forwarded to the concerned authorities for necessary action.
Record management and shifting
The comunidade members highlighted that old comunidade records presently stored in the office building need to be properly indexed. They said the staff of the Administrator of Comunidades, South Zone, preferably by three multi-tasking staff (MTS) attached to office of the Administrator of Comunidades of South, should be given the task of carrying out inventory of the records.
It was further suggested that the records may be shifted to the first floor premises, where earlier the Goa State Co-operative Bank was functioning. The components have called for storing the records in a secure manner comunidade-wise.
After much discussion, it was decided that the Administrator of Comunidade shall take steps for digitisation of these archives documents of Comunidades.
Delay in approval of proposals
Members expressed concern that several proposals submitted by the Attorneys to the Administrator of Comunidades are delayed despite being within the approved budget.
The members requested that suitable directions be issued by the District Collector, South Goa to the Administrator of Comunidades, South Zone to avoid unnecessary forwarding of such proposals to the Collectorate and to expedite decision-making at the level of the Administrator in accordance with applicable rules and delegated powers.
