the goan I network
MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council councilors find themselves in a tight spot over the distribution of free groceries to the needy in their wards during the phase-I of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Armed with the circular issued by the Director Urban Development, Dr Tariq Thomas authorizing the A-class civic body to utilize Rs eight lakh for the people, the city fathers divided the amount amongst themselves. Each of them spent an amount of Rs 32,000 on the purchase of groceries for free distribution to the needy.
The question that has now come to haunt the city fathers is who will certify the bills that they have incurred the expenses on groceries. That’s not all. Civic officials in the know say there’s no circular issued by the Urban Development Director authorizing the Councilors to spend the money.
In fact, officials pointed out that the Urban Development Director’s first circular dated March 27 last had only authorized the civic bodies to spend the 14th Finance Commission grants on the purchase of face masks, hand sanitizers, hand wash, gloves and other preventive kits for workers involved in solid waste management.
Officials in the know say that Dr Tariq’s circular makes no mention of the free distribution of groceries to the needy in the 25 municipal wards.
If one goes by another circular issued by the Director, Urban Development, dated April 4, it is very clear that expenditure shall only be incurred to provide support to the homeless or stranded people, migrant workers, etc due to non-availability of transport.
The Director, Urban Development, has further clarified that support may be for providing cooked meals, hygiene items, etc.
In the same circular, Dr Tariq made it further clear that no such expenditure using 14th Finance Commission funds shall be incurred for the purchase of essential commodities like groceries.
Questions are now being raised in the civic body as to who had authorized the council for utilising the Rs eight lakh for free supply of groceries to the needy.
When this question was posed to the Chief Officer, AjitPanchwadkar, he is believed to have assured the agitated city fathers that he would clear their bills provided they certify the bills.
Officials, however, wondered whether the CO can clear the bills when the circular issued by the Director, Urban Development makes no mention of free distribution of groceries to the people.
To be on a safer side, officials say it would be better that the council seeks further clarification from the office of Director, Urban Development, before the accounts section clears the bills for payment of Rs 32,000 to each of the 25 councillors.
