VASCO
The previous council transferred funds to GSUDA to take up pending works of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) building, fish market and Baina power house, but the new council is unhappy with ongoing renovation of the MMC building.
During the council meeting on Friday, councillors sought to know why the contractor was replacing the tiled roof with corrugated sheets and enquired about the Rs 5 lakh annual rent for the space utilised by MMC to create a temporary shed for Vasco fish market vendors.
Councillor Girish Borkar wanted to know the MMC would take care of the Rs 5 lakh rent amid a financial crunch due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Councillor Shami Salkar demanded that the contractor appointed to renovate the MMC building be summoned and asked why the roof of the heritage building was being replaced by corrugated sheets.
"When MMC had taken the Heritage Clock tower for restoration many years ago, we received a huge list from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Similarly, MMC building is around 100 years old and a heritage building with its own identity.”
“Heritage buildings are restored and not renovated, as there is a procedure for such Portuguese-era buildings," said Salkar.
MMC Chairperson Damodar Kaskar said the work contract was given by the administrator while the present council was not formed.
"The present Council is not aware of the clauses, conditions, decisions and agreements by the administrator while awarding the contracts. However, the council has taken a resolution to ensure the MMC building is unchanged and accordingly, I will call the consultant and the GSUDA contractor to resolve the issue," said Kaskar.
