the goan I network
MARGAO
Citizens of Cuncolim, including local MLA Clafacio Dias on Thursday held a dharna in front of the Cuncolim Municipal Council, demanding the immediate transfer of Municipal Chief Officer Shankar Gaonkar, accusing him for the host of irregularities and illegal constructions in the municipal area.
Even as the citizens set a 10-day deadline on the government to transfer the Chief Officer, Gaonkar later told the media that the allegation of irregularities and corruption are false and baseless.
Armed with placards, the citizens held a dharna in front of the Cuncolim Municipal Council on Thursday morning, but were stopped from entering the Municipal building by a strong posse of policemen led by Cuncolim PI Sudesh Naik.
When the Chief Officer, Shankar Gaonkar, finally came down to hear the grievances, he was confronted by a barrage of questions, including the question as to why the civic body had singled out a resident of Panzorconne ward, Sanjay Kamble and his house sealed on grounds of illegal construction. They questioned the Chief Officer why over a dozen illegal constructions in Panzorconne ward were left scot-free, with citizens alleging that Kamble was targeted by the civic body since he did not cough up Rs 1 lakh to the officers.
The citizens also questioned the Chief Officer over the state of administration, saying that people do not get justice in the civic body. Even as they claimed that files move in the civic body after much delay, Chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas agreed with the allegations, saying that the Chief Officer does not take the elected councillors into confidence while taking decisions.
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, who joined the protestors, alleged that citizens complain to him of the harassment meted out to them by the Chief Officer.“I have already submitted my complaint with regard to the Chief Officer demanding his immediate transfer, Clafacio said, while demanding to know why the CO had singled out Kambli’s house when there were other constructions around the same area.
“The government should suspend or transfer the Chief Officer. He does not take the chairperson or the councillors into confidence,” he said, while accusing TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and former MLA Joaquim Alemao for supporting the Chief Officer to harass the people to score some points against him.
A citizen Georgina Gama demanded the transfer of the Chief Officer within 10 days or else threatened to bring a huge morcha at the Cuncolim Municipal building. The citizens have also decided to call on the Urban Development Minister Milind Naik to initiate action against the Chief Officer.
The CO Shankar Goankar, however, refuted all the allegations raised by the group. “I am a non-corrupt officer. And, I don’t give scope for any officer to indulge in corruption,” he said.
Gaonkar also refuted the allegation made by Chairperson Lavita that he is not taking the Council into confidence. “The Chief Officer is required to implement the decisions of the Council. But, on the question of section 184 of the Municipalities Act, powers are bestowed on the Chief Officer as a quasi judicial authority to take action against illegal constructions and the Council has no power under this provision.”
Civic body seals 8 illegal houses in Ponzorconne
MARGAO: The Cuncolim Municipal Council on Thursday sealed around eight illegal houses in the Panzorconne area of the Municipal area, with CO Shankar Gaonkar saying the civic body will initiate action against all illegal structures in the town.
He pointed out that while the house belonging to Sanjay Kamble was sealed some days ago, the eight structures were sealed on Thursday after an inspection. “The sealing operation was carried out under section 184 of the Goa Municipalities Act. Notices will go to the parties to take the process to its logical conclusion,” the Chief officer said, saying his office will initiate action against all illegal structures.
