MARGAO
In a bid to lay to rest the controversy surrounding Margao Municipal Council’s decision to purchase a swanky Toyota Innova car costing Rs 18 lakh, Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesdai on Monday disclosed plans to return it back to the company as part of Fatorda Forward’s commitment to provide a clean and transparent civic administration to Madgavkars.
Babita’s decision comes after MLA and Fatorda Forward convenor Vijai Sardesai making it quite clear that though the civic body had purchased the car after complying with the legal requirements, the decision to buy the car was morally wrong.
Briefing the media on the sidelines of the Independence Day celebration at the South District Collectorate, Sardesai said he has advised Babita to return the car back to the company and make good the loss, if any, arising out of depreciation of the vehicle. “Fatorda Forward has been committed to give new direction to politics and not to enjoy at the cost of the tax payers. This car should be returned back and the Chairperson should set an example by making good the loss arising out of depreciation of the vehicle,” he said.
Sardesai further made it clear that the MMC Chairperson would from now onwards move around the city for all official purposes in her private vehicle and would not use the municipal vehicle. “We are not in public life to enjoy public benefits. It was not a mistake on the part of the Chairperson to go for the Innova vehicle. Other municipalities have also gone in for these vehicles. We have decided that the Chairperson would henceforth move in her private vehicle in the city. We want to bring a revolution in Goan politics,” he added.
