the goan I network
VASCO
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday witnessed some anxious moments during the budget meeting over the issue of the national flag hoisted in MMC garden outside the railway station.
The issue came up for discussion after one NGO noticed that the national flag hoisted had not been illuminated for three consecutive days. The NGO not only shot the video but also complained to the home ministry accusing the MMC of insulting the national flag and had sought action against the MMC.
According to sources, any national flag that is hoisted on a 24-hour basis should have adequate illumination for the flag at all times, failing which it is termed as a national insult as per the flag code that governs the installation of a national flag.
Rejecting accusations of having insulted the national flag, MMC Chairperson Nandadeep Raut, Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar and other councillors claimed that no permissions had been obtained from the MMC to install the flag in the MMC garden outside the railway station.
“Though the flag was hoisted in the MMC garden, no one had permission from the MMC to hoist the flag,” MMC Councillor Fredrick Henriques said.
“Authorities installing the flag should have sought permission from MMC since the garden is the property of MMC. There should have been some agreements or MOU with MMC so that we could be kept in the loop. We are not against having a national flag as long as authorities who install the flag don’t insult it and people should not hold MMC responsible,” said Henriques.
“Some days ago, an NGO uploaded a video which went viral on social media that the national flag was in left darkness after dusk for over three days, which is an insult to the flag. Some councillors went about seeking credit for installing a flag in Vasco and they must also also bear the consequences when things go wrong,” said Henriques.
MMC Chairperson Nandadeep Raut said the MMC garden was also damaged while installing the flag post which was illegally erected without permission.
“We are not against the flag but there should be procedures in this regard. The MMC would surely have given the permission for the flag but permission should have been sought for the flag prior to hoisting it.”
“The Railways should have made arrangements for a generator in case they wanted to have a national flag hoisted for 24 hours. The flag was in the dark and it is an insult. MMC will act on the issue and take those responsible to task” said Raut.
