Members of the shadow council addressing the media at Margao. Santosh Mirajkar
Scam alleged in MMC waste collection, probe demanded
Savio says Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh being siphoned every month
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Reiterating its demand for data collection prior to the inclusion of waste collection fees in the house tax bills, theShadow Council of Margao on Thursday alleged that municipal officials are involved in a massive scam, wherein over Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh have been siphoned per month
The shadow council has demanded immediate suspension of the officials and an inquiry within 48 hours into the alleged siphoning of municipal funds.
Addressing the media, former MMC chairperson Savio Coutinho has said the shadow council Margao has information of waste collection fees being collected from the public, but fails to reach the municipal treasury. “We have even requested under RTI Act, information with regards to waste collection fees collected by the council. However even after 45 days, the necessary information is withheld, thereby clearly indicating that there are irregularities which are being concealed,” Coutinho added.
The shadow council has demanded that the civic body take immediate measures to recover waste collection fees from the hotels and restaurants, from which waste collection is undertaken at night. “We have further demanded that the civic body should check upon the disposal of waste from outside city limits,” he said.
“This 'data collection' demand of the shadow council is only to facilitate the council to have a fool proof system in place and advance information of expected income by way of waste collection fees,” Coutinho said, adding that there are thousands of assessed residential premises, with around 80 per cent of the commercial units operating without proper trade licenses.
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Extortion accused granted bail
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
The two accused arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau - Melvyn Soares and Sanjay Shinde, for alleged extortion, were on Thursday released on bail by the South Goa Sessions Court.
Sessions Judge Nutan Sardesai ordered the release of the duo upon furnishing a bail of Rs 15,000 each with one identical surety. The duo was directed to report to the ACB for a period of seven days for the purpose of investigations.
