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MAPUSA
The secretary of a social organization of Mapusa, Jawaharlal T Shetye, who is also addressed as an RTI activist, was the bone of contention for getting royal treatment in the municipality at the council meeting in Mapusa on Friday.
Former chairperson and senior councilor Sandip Falari and a group of councilors slammed their own municipal staff accusing them of working in tandem with Mapusa People’s Union Secretary J T Shetye by readily supplying information to him under the RTI, without following proper procedures.
“Our PIO is not following mandated procedure while furnishing information sought under the RTI. If the civic staff is not following proper procedure, I will take severe action especially when it comes to third party information,” Falari said.
Joining the debate, councilor Swapnil Shirodkar said that councilors do not get information but fraudulent RTI activists get whatever information they wanted.
“When a councilor asks for info under the RTI we don’t get information even after a month, but Jawaharlal Shetye gets easy access to information,” Shirodkar said.
The source for the flare up was apparently due to recent allegations made by J T Shetye and others against Falari and some councilors which were reported in a section of the media (not The Goan).
Councilor Franky Carvalho created a flutter in the council by producing a photograph of J T Shetye sitting on a chair of one of the staff in the municipality office and browsing through the office computer.
“How was he given access in the municipality office?” Carvalho alleged.
Supporting his colleague, Fallari alleged a person accused of stealing documents and money at his previous work place was getting red carpet welcome in the MMC.
“I want a list of third party information provided by the council. Don’t blame me if I complain against the staff, which will ultimately lead to his or her sacking,” Falari said, appearing visibly annoyed.
Vice Chairperson, Marlene D’Souza, Rajsingh Rane and Sanjay Mishal also spoke on the issue and wondered how the RTI activist was getting so much leeway. Several allegations and name calling were made against J T Shetye during the discussion in the council meeting.
Trying to calm down the situation, Chairperson Ryan Braganza said action will be initiated. He then instructed the chief officer to look into the matter.
