Margao
The Margao Municipal Council on Wednesday agreed to carry out a survey of illegal constructions and structures, as directed by the High Court.
At the meeting chaired by Chairperson Damu Shirodkar, Councillors stressed that the municipal team conducting the survey should do so in a transparent way to avoid any risk of contempt of court. Councillor Ganashyam Shirodkar suggested that once the survey is complete, the findings should be placed before the Council. Councillor Shagun Naik also called for transparency and asked if Councillors could face problems if team members accuse them of not cooperating.
Some Councillors raised concerns about how the survey would handle structures for which the Council had earlier issued licences, such as gaddas in road widening zones. Questions were also raised on whether stationary hand carts in key city spots would be treated as illegal structures under the court order.
Chairperson Damu Shirodkar explained that the survey would be done by municipal staff, warning that the Council could face contempt charges if the report is not submitted.
Councillor Mahesh Amonkar asked whether action would be taken against gaddas placed over drains.
Meanwhile, the Council decided to extend the contract of door-to-door waste collection agencies by two months, using the remaining funds. It also discussed a proposal to build an overhead water tank at the pick-up stand and agreed to write to the TCP Department for land allotment.
