the goan I network
MARGAO
Call it a flip-flop or simply succumbing to pressure, the proposed study to Mount Abu in Rajasthan is still on after the Opposition Margao Municipal councilors took municipal chairperson Pooja Naik head on over her decision to cancel the tour.
As the opposition councilors headed by former chairpersons Arthur D’Silva and Doris Texeira, besides Ketan Kurtarkar, Manoj Masurkar and others were on their feet to question the decision to cancel the study tour, the municipal chairperson apologized to the City Fathers for her decision, adding that those councilors who wish to go on the tour can go ahead with the programme along with CO Ajit Panchwadkar.
With today’s decision at the council meeting, the controversial tour, which has been opposed by citizens and taxpayers, is still on, with opposition Councilors seeking clarification from the chairperson when the council will book the flight tickets to Ahmedabad to head to Mount Abu.
The chairperson replied saying those councilors interested in going to Mt Abu may contact Panchwadkar and comply with the formalities.
Incidentally, if sources are to be believed, the ruling group of Goa Forward-backed councilors headed by Pooja have decided not to go on the study tour.
That the Opposition group wanted to take the municipal chairperson head on from the word go became evident when they demanded a discussion on the issue before the commencement of the meeting. Pooja, however, assured Councilor Arthur D’Silva that she would allow a discussion on the subject after the meeting, saying the members can raise the issue as any other business. Arthur pointed out that the chairperson cannot cancel the study tour just because some “Narads” from outside were demanding the cancellation.
Pooja said she took the decision after Panchwadkar told the tax payers’ delegation led by Savio Coutinho that the matter falls in the domain of the council.
The meeting witnessed an uproar after Pooja further explained that she immediately consulted the councilors, mostly from Fatorda area, who were in her chamber before taking the decision to call off the tour. The Opposition councilor tried to corner the chairperson by demanding to know why she has made a distinction between the Margao and Fatorda councilors. Councilors Arthur, Manoj and others rushed towards the table of the Chairperson as a mark of protest before Pooja said those councilors who want to go for the tour can still go with Panchwadkar.
