MARGAO
The last minute postponement of the demolition of a shed of a fast food outlet at the Old Market area has raised many an eyebrow in the corridors of the Margao Municipal Council.
While even many a City Fathers had raised a query over the sudden postponement of the demolition and whether it was in any way connected to a phone call from an influential person to the civic body, Chief Officer Sidhivinayak Naik said there was no specific order to raze down the shed, adding that his office had only issued a general order on anti-encroachment drive.
The Chief Officer said the anti-encroachment drive could not take place as there was speculation that the election code of conduct may come into force on that day. “There is no malafide reason behind the postponement of the demolition of the shed. May be the general order against encroachments could not be executed as there were reports that the election code of conduct may come into force anytime,” he said.
Many a City Father, including councillors close to MMC Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai, however, are trying to figure out whether the anti-encroachment drive or the demolition was postponed after the fast food outlet owner got a wind of the MMC action and approached an “influential contractor” to get the exercise scuttled at the eleventh hour.
Sources in the know said though the fast food outlet has the trade licence from the Margao Municipal Council, questions are raised whether the shed erected by the owner outside the premises has any permission from the civic body.
