PANAJI
Stating that the controversy around the alleged manipulation of Municipal wards reservation is sub-judice, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Sunday said it is now a matter for the courts to decide.
“We have moved forward,” said Godinho, who was among the first cabinet ministers to publicly express discontent over the manner in which the Directorate of Municipal Administration handled the process of wards reservation.
A significant part of Godinho's Dabolim constituency comes in the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Municipal Council.
Meanwhile, the State government is expected to launch its flagship "Swayampurna Goa" programme in all Municipalities and also the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) on Monday in a move seen as an attempt by the ruling party to woo the electorate ahead of the civic elections expected to be held in March.
Government sources said, Swayampurna Mitras - government officials who will engage with the people for a few hours daily for better implementation of welfare and subsidy schemes -- have been appointed for all the 11 civic bodies and CCP.
Already, 191 Swayampurna Mitras are propagating the Swayampurna Goa initiative in panchayats across Goa over the last several weeks..
Godinho meanwhile said the war between local taxi operators and the government facilitated app-based service GoaMiles will be resolved once the entire matter comes under his Transport department.
"I am waiting for everything to be transferred to Transport department fully. I have told the Chief Secretary to do it as early as possible,” Godinho said, adding that the tourism season will pick up as the State is "almost out" of the pandemic.
If the taxi issue is not streamlined, bickering amongst taxi drivers will affect tourists and common travelers, Godinho opined.
The minister also said "strict action" will be taken against noise pollution by modifying silencers as well those using tinted glasses, he warned.
