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MAPUSA
The meeting, however, was adjourned after the chairperson had finished 90 per cent of his budget speech and had just concluded the overall budget summary at the council meeting, called ostensibly to approve the budget.
“The council meeting is adjourned to Friday (March 3) due to DMA’s direction to defer the meeting until the Chief Electoral Officer on Monday gives its approval for the meeting,” Falari said.
It may be recalled that the chairperson had to adjourn the same meeting on Monday, after receiving a call from Additional Directorate of Municipal Administration (ADMA).
On Tuesday, Falari had begun the budget meeting at 11 am, despite receiving no instructions from any of the authorities to hold the meeting.
In his defence, Falari told the anxious councillors that the ADMA on Monday had telephonically asked him to hold the meeting on Tuesday and had assured to get the approval of the CEO by Monday evening.
He also informed that he had told the ADMA that he would want instructions in black and white for the record.
“I went ahead with the meeting in spite of being fully aware of the existence of election code of conduct. I do not want someone to say that the council has failed in its obligation,” Falari said.
Taking credit for his action to press for the budget meeting, the chairperson said that because of his pressure, the DMA had been working on a “war footing” to get approval for the meeting.
“My council is the only body in the whole of Goa which has been showing keen interest to hold the meeting. Because of our tough stand,
all other councils will benefit,” he said.
Later speaking to The Goan, Falari clarified that he was not overenthusiastic in wanting to hold the meeting.
“It was binding on my part to get the budget approved by February 28. My concern is my obligation to the council and the welfare of Mapusa,” Falari said.
It may be recalled two days after the elections had ended in Goa, the Director of Panchayats had issued a memorandum to all panchayats to hold fortnightly panchayat meetings
and the gram sabhas.
The panchayats were also directed to issue pending permissions and NOCs.
