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MARGAO
The ruling group comprising Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson Doris Texeira, besides others, jumped on the bandwagon to demand an inquiry into the issuance of occupancy certificates to the four buildings despite a circular issued by the Chairperson. The Chairperson was repeatedly heard saying that the CO’s action of issuing the occupancy certificates despite her circular to keep all occupancy certificates on hold amounted to “insubordination” by the administration and hence called for a detailed inquiry.
She later told the media after the meeting that she would write to the Director of Municipal Administration to inquire into the episode.
On the issuance of license to one Santosh Raikar to set up a kiosk near the PWD Office, Vice-Chairperson Texeira took on the CO, demanding to know how the license was issued when there’s a council resolution banning issuance of licenses to new gaddas and without placing the matter before the market panel.
The Chairperson demanded an explanation from the CO how the license could be issued when the kiosk is coming under a road widening area, adding that the matter is a fit case for a vigilance probe. Almost all the ruling councilors were on their feet demanding the immediate revocation of the license issued to the kiosk and an inquiry into the matter. The CO also came under fire from the councilors over his decision to recruit eight daily wage workers. Councilor Ketan Kurtarkar demanded to know why the issue has been placed at the council meeting when the civic body has already advertised the posts in the newspapers.
On the question of re-constituting the vending panels, while the CO explained the functioning of the vending committees, councilor Rupesh Mahatme maintained that the committee should be constituted only after inviting names from the councilors. He demanded to know whether the CO and the Chairperson have already constituted the committee and has placed the matter at the meeting as a mere formality. The meeting also decided to streamline the issuance of trade licenses to mop-up additional revenue and also to put in place a hassle-free system.
Babita hailed for returning
car, but not all are happy
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council has finally returned the controversial Toyota Innova car back to the company, with Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai receiving a round of applause from the city fathers, but had to face brickbats from the civil society.
The controversial car figured at the Thursday meeting of the council after councilor Clara Fernandes maintained that the Chairperson deserves kudos for taking a bold decision to return back the car to the company.
Babita reciprocated with a thank you. Speaking on the occasion, Babita said the car has been returned back to the company, adding that she will bear any loss or difference of amount arising out of her decision.
The civil society, however, took exception to the decision of the city fathers to applaud the chairperson for her decision. “The decision ought not to have received applause from the city fathers. It is a shame that the city fathers went to the extent of applauding the Chairperson,” social activist and city-based lawyer, Adv Rajiv Gomes, told the media after the meeting.
He said the Chairperson has decided to return back the vehicle to the company since the Anti Corruption Bureau had already set in motion an inquiry into the purchase of the car. “I fail to understand how the municipality had gone for the top-model car when the civic body cannot even purchase grass cutting machines,” he wondered.
“The Chairperson has not returned the car out of moral conscience, but out of fear of the ACB inquiry. They had no option, but to return the car,” he said.
Commenting on the proceedings of the meeting, Adv Gomes said the meeting was a big joke as the councilors took up petty issues, while leaving the burning issues, including parking unattended. “They have to deliberate on issues plaguing the city and not waste time on rumblers and drains.
He said one could not find anything new at today’s meeting, adding that the city fathers should take up the burning issues facing the city.
