VASCO
Pre-monsoon works, garbage collection, and clearing of dark spots were among the issues deliberated at the special council meeting of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Wednesday.
Former MMC chairperson and Councillor Deepak Naik told reporters that there were around 23 points to be addressed in the meeting which had been adjourned earlier.
"The major issue was on development grants file which has been passed and is at the tendering stage. We have decided to take up development works across all wards. We also took up the issue of stray cattle on the roads and since no one claims ownership, we have decided to lift such cattle and take them to the Goushala," said Naik.
"The chief officer and municipal engineer have proposed a new idea to lift garbage as is being followed by other municipalities. Garbage lifting charges are planned to be included in the house tax. However, there was a major discussion in this matter because maximum houses have house tax while some houses don't have house tax and as such, this cannot be implemented. We have asked the engineer and the chief officer to study on this issue before this is implemented," said Naik.
Naik said 4-5 wards dump garbage in one collection centre which, in turn, becomes a black spot.
"My ward has a collection centre where garbage from 6 wards are dumped and my people have to face inconvenience. I have informed that every ward must have its own garbage collection centre and we have requested every councillor to identify spots for the collection centre in their wards," said Naik.
Naik further said it was vital that pre-monsoon works be taken immediately to prevent flooding in the city.
"It is important that pre-monsoon works are taken up especially because these works could not be taken up last year as the council was under the administrator’s rule. Our MLA Daji Salkar has already convened a meeting with WRD and PWD and we will clear major Nullahs through the WRD.”
“However, municipal gutters need to be cleaned and we have to tender this fast as we have a requirement of minimum 40 labourers in each ward," said Naik.
"The contractor who had done pre-monsoon works two years ago did not get proper payment and he refused the works last year. I have now requested the MMC to initiate the tender soon and also keep aside the amount for the work in advance," said Naik.
