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MARGAO
Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai lost his cool after he threw down Margao Municipal Chief Officer Sidhivinayak Naik’s cell phone while he was engrossed in a serious discussion over the contentious waste issue at the Sonsodo dump yard on Monday morning.
Sidhivinayak, however, said it was a mistake on his part not to keep his phone in a silent mode, saying constant phone ringing is an irritation. He, however, reiterated his commitment to serve the people of Margao.
The incident occurred when Sardesai was about to dictate to MMC officials on the short term measures that the Civic body should initiate before the onset of monsoon. As the officials were about to note down the suggestion, the Chief Officer’s phone started ringing, and before he could take the call, Sardesai threw the mobile down.
Taking the embarrassment in his stride, Sidhivinayak recovered his cell phone from the ground and
before he could check whether the cell phone was
damaged or not, he came under another round of attack from the deputy Chief Minister, saying the Chief Officer has been a failure in Margao. “You are useless. Your chairperson is useless. You cannot even get the MMC building painted”, Sardesai said.
Later, while addressing media, the deputy Chief Minister warned that the Chief Officer would be
removed and sent home if he cannot solve the Sonsodo issue. “We have brought Sidhivinayak to head the Margao Municipal administration to resolve many an endemic issue facing the city, including garbage issue and revenue recoveries. However, he is more interested in removing the overhead cables in the city”, Sardesai added.
Councillors get ‘wake up’ call
MARGAO: Sounding a warning to his group of councilors controlling the Margao Municipal Council, deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said he will get new set of councilors if the present lot fails to address the burning Sonsodo issue.
Sardesai’s remarks assumed significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that MMC is headed by the councilors backed by the Goa Forward party. And, it also
assumes further significance given that the election for MMC is just a year and half away.
While saying that the Margao municipality has been sleeping over the Sonsodo issue, Sardesai said he will kick them and wake them up, warning if the Council cannot resolve the issue within this year, he would get the councilors replaced.
“If the Council cannot resolve the issue within this year and does not take proper steps, the councilors will be replaced”, he asserted.
