the goan I network
MAPUSA
Senior officers of the Mapusa civic body came for some stick from the councillors of the ruling group, with some even clamouring for their transfer.
The Urban Development Minister and Mapusa MLA, Francisco D’Souza was under intense pressure, as several councillors demanded the transfer of key officers from the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).
The Mapusa MLA held a stock taking meeting with the 16 ruling panel councillors at this residence on Saturday.
Most first-time councillors were more vociferous in their complaints against the officers for their failure to take action on crucial issues facing the city, sources informed.
Municipal Engineer, Hussain Shah Muzawar drew much of the flak with councillors demanding his immediate transfer.
“The ME keeps saying that he is fed up working in this council but he continues to stay put. I think it’s high time he is moved out,” a councillor demanded.
Another councillor questioned the administrative skills of the chief officer and his penchant for the cabin.
“Unlike the chief officer of Mormugao Municipal Council who goes out in the field and also issues fine to offenders, our chief officer prefers to sit in his cabin,” the councillor said drawing a comparison between the two COs.
The councillor further said that the civic body had announced plastic ban in Mapusa market with much fanfare but has fallen flat when it came to its implementation.
“What has happened to the plastic ban in the market? Plastic carry bags are openly available in the fish and the vegetable market making a mockery of our decision,” the councillor, who is known for his forceful views, said.
The councillors also discussed the mayhem caused by the heavy rains on the evening of June 20, which flooded the municipal market and Usapkar junction in Khorlim.
Some councillors said that the present civic staff was not very conversant with the size and number of nullahs and drains in the city.
A senior councillor suggested engaging the services of retired MMC staff for a period of three months to tackle the monsoon-related issues.
The Mapusa MLA expressed his unhappiness with the way the council handled the issue after the floods and its failure to address people’s concern through the media.
