MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has virtually dropped a bomb over the state of civic affairs in handling solid waste management issues and activities, bringing to the fore the oft-repeated allegation over the Municipal administration’s indifference to the burning civic issues.
What prompted the Chief Officer to put up a note to the Municipal Chairperson and the other officials is the failure of the civic body to send timely reports on solid waste management to the government. In fact, the Chief Officer, in the note, was categorical in saying the technical section has been found to be useless as either they do not understand the seriousness of the matter or are not interested to work for the Municipality.
The Chief Officer’s note assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that directions issued by the Green Tribunal/ writ petition are scheduled to come up before the High Court this week.
It also assumes significance against the backdrop of the fact that the Margao Municipal Council meeting is scheduled on October 28, which may say, may give an armament for the City Fathers to demand accountability and responsibility from the babus over the Council resolutions awaiting implementation by the administration.
In the note, the Chief Officer made a specific reference to the solid waste management works pending over a period of time despite resolutions adopted by the Council.
The Chief Officer has sought to know the fate of the development of the road at Sonsodo, when the work has been tendered, but no work order is issued till date. In fact, the Chief Officer has sought to know whether the file has gone missing or is pending, raising questions over the delay in the execution of the road work.
Another important aspect touched upon by the Chief Officer was over the construction of the shed at Sonsodo. Chief Officer Agnelo has maintained that the progress of the work has been very slow.
“The contractor refuses to complete the work inspite of several reminders. Bulk waste generators’ reports not submitted. Quarterly report of plastic waste generation in 24/7/2018 matter not submitted,” the Chief Officer stated.
Saying the Council has not availed the development grants, the Chief Officer said there’s no works compliance done by the civic body.
“The same is brought to the notice of the Chairperson for his intervention as inspite of my several reminders, the technical section is not showing any interest to complete the directions,” the note stated, adding that the issue is serious in nature which the Council has to attend on priority.
Confirming his office has received the note from the Chief Officer, Chairperson Lyndon Pereira said it only goes to show the lack of coordination in the technical section and the general administration.
“This is unacceptable. I am told there’s politics and groups in the technical section. The files are going missing.
The city cannot be held to ransom just because of issues in the Municipal technical section,” Lyndon said.
