Says will work to provide public-friendly administration, prioritises waste collection
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Newly elected Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Priya Mishal, has stated that no final decision has been made regarding the recruitment of six contract staff hired during the tenure of her predecessor.
She emphasised that the matter will be reviewed in consultation with all councillors before a decision is taken.
Mishal assured that her primary focus would be on addressing the long-standing garbage collection issue in the town and ensuring a public-friendly administration that promptly resolves citizens’ concerns.
“No decision has been taken yet on the staff recruitment. We will verify whether the proper procedure was followed during their hiring. The decision will be made collectively after discussing with all councillors,” Mishal said.
The issue of staff recruitment had sparked controversy in a previous council meeting held around four months ago.
Former Chairperson Nutan Bicholkar was accused of bypassing proper procedures and engaging in favouritism while appointing the six staff members. A resolution to confirm these appointments were later defeated, with 11 out of 20 councillors voting against it.
Mishal also stressed the necessity of appointing a full-time Chief Officer for Mapusa’s municipal administration, given the size of the town.
“We have demanded a full-time Chief Officer. The Mapusa MLA will take up the matter and ensure it is addressed,” she added.
Addressing the critical issue of garbage disposal, Mishal noted that outsourcing garbage collection had been considered during her previous tenure but encountered challenges.
She now aims to revive the outsourcing model to improve waste management in the town.
Additionally, the chairperson assured that the concerns of Mapusa’s merchants would be examined and efforts would be made to find amicable solutions to their grievances.
