SMC wins battle in HC over pendency of development works
PANAJI
THE GOAN NETWORK
A writ petition filed by Sankhali Municipal Council before the High Court has succeeded in pushing the Directorate of Municipal Administration to clear the pendency of developmental works and to redress other major grievances of the standing council.
Speaking to media at Panaji on Tuesday, SMC chairperson Dharmesh Saglani stated, “SMC has been extended step-motherly treatment by the government authorities. But after the HC issued directions, things have sped up.”
He informed that proposals for 27 developmental works submitted by SMC to the DMA were pending approval, majority of the resolutions passed by the SMC over last three-and-half-years were pending execution and during this period, 10 chief officers, four junior engineers and four accountants were transferred, further hampering the functioning of the SMC.
In response to the petition, the HC on December 15, issued directions to execute all resolutions passed by SMC within two months while also ordering the DMA to decide on all the pending proposals from SMC within six weeks. HC has further stated that the code of conduct, which is likely to come into force over the coming weeks, shall not affect these works.
Accordingly, Director of Urban Development and Municipal Administration J Ashok Kumar on December 20 convened a meeting. SMC has since informed the HC that of the 27 pending works, 10 works have been carried out by PWD.
SMC Chief Officer Jitendra Bugde, who was appointed on September 18 this year, assured that the remaining 17 proposals would be resubmitted to the DMA by December 23 for government approval. He also informed that he would require two months to go through the pending resolutions to verify their feasibility.
HC, on December 21, has observed that all the grievances except the appointment of a full-time chief officer stand redressed.
Delving into the nuances of the issue, Saglani stated, “The present CO has been very active and has executed almost 40 per cent of the works. However, as he visits SMC only on Tuesday and Thursday owing to additional charge as joint mamlatdar and OSD (Election) to North Collectorate, the 74th amendment to the Constitution stands violated.”
Open for Cong ticket: Saglani
Congress ticket aspirant for Sakhali Assembly segment Dharmesh Saglani has yet again declared that he is open to contesting the constituency on Congress ticket. “I have always been a Congressman and I am open for a ticket if the party offers me the chance. If not, I will work loyally for whoever gets the Congress ticket,” he stated.
He further alleged that the government is deliberately hampering works of SMC as it fears the works undertaken by the standing council would ensure it a footing in the upcoming Assembly polls.
