MARGAO
Many an eyebrow was raised in the corridors of the Margao civic body after City Fathers, cutting across party affiliations, welcomed Margao Municipal vice-chairperson Deepali Sawal as she took over the charge of chairperson on Wednesday.While Chairperson Lyndon Pereira had proceeded on leave on Monday after intimating the Director of Municipal Administration and the Margao Municipal Chief Officer, Deepali took over the charge of the office in the presence of councillors.
Councillors, owing allegiance to the Margao Civic Alliance, BJP, besides Independents all accompanied Deepali to the chairperson’s chamber on Wednesday noon.
Questions are being raised as to why the vice-chairperson did not take charge of the office from Monday, the day when Chairperson Lyndon had proceeded on leave.
Sources in the know informed that Deepali has also started using the chairperson’s official vehicle after the administration arranged for a replacement after the regular driver had proceeded on leave.
MMC councillor and former Chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar told the media that the office of the Chairperson is a continuous process, adding that there cannot be any break in the functioning of the office. “We do not know why Deepali did assume charge of the Chairperson from day one. But, we would like to inform you that since the office of the Chairperson is a continuous process, the vice-chairperson has to immediately assume charge after the Chairperson proceeds on leave,” he said.
Sources in the know informed that a civic official had on Tuesday called up the office of the DMA to find out whether the vice-chairperson can occupy the Chairperson’s chamber after the incumbent Chairperson has proceeded on leave.
Meanwhile, the acting chairperson told the media that she has assumed charge of office so that the official work does not get hampered in the absence of the Chairperson. “Chairperson Lyndon has proceeded on leave and hence I have decided to assume charge to ensure that official work is not hampered,” Deepali said, adding that she would preside over the office till the Chairperson resumed duties.
