MARGAO
Leaving behind the unsavoury row with Margao MLA Digambar Kamat over not being invited for a meeting with Civic officials, Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar on Monday said let bygone be bygones, but promised that his style of working will be different from today.
When asked whether some of the municipal engineers, with whom he had a running battle over civic issues, were involved in the plot to misguide the Margao MLA, Damu shot back “We are all staying in the land of the Presiding deity Lord Dambab. Those who are plotting and working against me for no reason will never be pardoned by the Presiding deity”.
Attired in yellow costume, Damu Shirodkar made his presence felt at his chamber as usual on Monday morning, sending a message to his colleague councilors and the Civic officials and staff that he had decided to stay put on the Chair and will not quit office.
The Chairperson said his meeting with the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat on Sunday noon has helped to remove the misunderstandings and misconceptions between the two after he was not invited by the MLA for a meeting with Civic officials.
“I told the MLA that I was deeply hurt for not being invited for the meeting with Civic officials since I have been considered the MLA’s right hand man and after having working for him with sincerity. The MLA explained that it was not a formal meeting, but he had only invited the officials for lunch since the inspections ended late on Saturday noon. Since the MLA requested me to continue in office, I have decided to continue as the MMC chairperson”, he said.
Saying that the MLA has told him to go and work with full swing for the development of the commercial capital, Damu said that his style of working will be different now, promising to ensure accountability in the civic administration.
Saying he has taken a number of decisions during his 10-month stint in office, Damu said he has got promotions for the Municipal staff and workers pending for the last 17 years. “I have got all the former Municipal Chairpersons honoured on Independence Day to recognize their services to the Civic body and the city”, he said.
On the Director, Urban Development’s letter to the MMC to cancel the recruitment process, Damu said Margao MLA Digambar Kamat has spoken to Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, exuding confidence the issue will be resolved amicably.
