VASCO
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar has threatened to file a defamation case against Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, who has since been transferred, accusing him of misusing his name while issuing notices to several buildings and creating panic among residents to damage his reputation.
Salkar said his advocate would immediately initiate defamation proceedings against Naik. He would also approach Chief Minister Pramod Sawant seeking a vigilance inquiry into the officer’s conduct and stringent action against him.
Expressing displeasure over the manner in which the notices were issued, Salkar said he had specifically asked the municipal authorities to prioritise two buildings that he had personally found to be in dangerous condition — Premavati Building and Raghavendra Building at Baina. “I had mentioned that notices should be issued on priority to Premavati Building, which is in a very dangerous condition, and Raghavendra Building at Baina, where I personally inspected the premises and found people living in extremely dangerous conditions,” he said.
Instead, Naik issued notices to around 40 buildings, allegedly using Salkar’s name in the process. “I had not mentioned these 40 buildings. Identifying such buildings and issuing notices was his responsibility, but he tried to involve me in the entire exercise,” the MLA alleged.
Salkar also questioned the issuance of notices to buildings where repairs had reportedly been completed and structures strengthened. He claimed that four such buildings had received notices. Another building, which he said had been demolished and reconstructed, was also served a notice despite people having moved in.
Accusing Naik of issuing notices without verification to defame him and create panic, Salkar said he would personally take up the matter with the Chief Minister and seek stringent action against the officer.
The confrontation comes amid an escalating row between the MLA and the MMC Chief Officer over eviction notices to fire-affected Sunday Market shopkeepers and notices concerning allegedly dilapidated buildings. “I will also request the Chief Minister to conduct a vigilance inquiry against him because such officers are egoistic in nature and try to defame people while creating panic among the public. It is time to bring them in line and teach them a lesson. I will take this issue to its logical end and request the CM to take the most stringent action against such officers,” Salkar said.
The latest confrontation comes amid an escalating row between the Vasco MLA and the MMC CO over the issuance of eviction notices to fire-affected Sunday Market shopkeepers.
