MARGAO: Agnelo Fernandes assumed office as the Chief Officer of the MargaoMunicipal Council, promising to provide citizen-friendly and hassle-freeadministration to Madgavkars and Fatordekars.
Soon after taking charge of office onMonday morning, Agnelo said he would accord utmost priority to put theadministration back on the tracks.
And, the new Chief Officer meantbusiness when he went into a huddle with municipal section heads, soon afterassuming office, reminding the administration that a municipality is a publicoffice and everyone must lend a helping hand to the citizens.
The Chief Officer also took stock of theburning garbage problem with municipal officials, including the ongoingarbitration proceedings and the messy situation at the Sonsodo waste dumpingsite.
“I have assumed office today and my mainpriority is to put the administration back on the tracks. We all shouldremember that a municipality is a public office and we have to lend a helpinghand to the citizens,” he said.
The new Chief Officer pointed out thathe has asked the officers, staff and employee to expedite clearance of filesand meet the aspirations of the citizens. “People come to the Civic body withhopes and aspirations. We cannot let down the people. Their work should becleared with a time-frame,” he said adding that he would endeavor to providepublic friendly administration to Madgavkars and Fatordekars.
The new Chief officer’s decision tofocus on the municipal administration assumes significance and comes againstthe backdrop of groupism that had raised its ugly head in the corridors of theCivic body in recent times.
The message to tone up theadministration also comes against the backdrop of official files going missingfrom the municipal sections in the recent past.
Meanwhile, Agnelo said theadministration will try to speed up the house tax, birth corrections and anyother problems within a time frame.
He promised to get CCTV surveillancecameras in the commercial capital within the next few days, saying theMunicipality will bear the annual maintenance cost of maintaining the cameras.
End of cold war: Naik welcomes new CO
Margao Municipal chairperson Pooja Naik welcomed the new Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes with a flower bouquet, marking the end (at least for the moment) of the cold war between the offices of the Municipal chairperson and Chief Officer in recent times.
Naik said she looked forward for cooperation from the new Chief Officer to serve the people of Margao and Fatorda. The MMC had witnessed a cold war between Chairperson Pooja Naik and outgoing Chief Officer Ajit Panchwadkar, hampering civic administration and polarizing the staff.
Fernandes shifts office to ground floor for benefit of senior citizens and persons with disabilities
To make his office accessible to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, newly-appointed Margao Municipal Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has decided to set up his office on the ground floor of the Margao Municipal building.
He has further decided to meet the senior citizens and the public for an hour on Thursday and Friday between 12 noon to 1 pm. He said people can also send their grievances online on 7030910926.
“I have not decided to shift the Chief Officer’s office to the ground floor for my convenience, but in the interest of the senior citizens and persons with disabilities. I will soon start working from the ground floor,” he added.
