MARGAO
Opening of the tender for the segregation of the existing waste at the Sonsodo dumping site scheduled on Monday was postponed by three to four days by Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA).
When The Goan contacted GSUDA Member Secretary Elvis Gomes to shed light on the waste segregation tender, he confirmed that the tender opening had to be postponed on account of technical problems relating to uploading the tenders. “Since the tenders could not be uploaded due to some technical snag, the same will be opened within 3-4 days time,” Gomes said.
Meanwhile, the GSUDA has told the Margao Municipal Council to seek a letter of authorization from the Goa State Pollution Control Board, a mandatory requirement before GSUDA undertakes the waste segregation work.
Though the work is being executed by GSUDA, sources in the know said the responsibility of seeking the authorisation from the GSCPB rests with the Margao Municipal Council.
South BDOs remain absent
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Members of the public cried foul over the absence of both the Salcete block development officers in the office on Monday morning, leaving many a visitor high and dry.
When the people approached the BDO office housed in the South Goa district Collectorate building as usual, they found to their surprise that both the BDOs were conspicuous by their absence. That’s not all. When they inquired with the office staff, they were told to wait for some time, assuring that the BDOs would make their presence felt later in the day. The people, however, were left stranded till noon, with many of them, including women, deciding to leave the office for want of the BDOs.
Convenor of the Goa Panchayat Raj Institutions, and Curtorim Panch member, J Santano Rodrigues told the media that Panchayat Director, Gurudas Pilarnekar should intervene and order an inquiry into the episode. “When I tried called the panchayat director to draw his attention to the plight of the people at the Salcete BDO office, he did not accept my call. Neither were other panchayat officials present to offer relief to the beleaguered residents,” he added.
MARGAO
Power consumers from Manora in Raia Panchayat found the section office of the Power department closed and locked early on Monday morning.
A group of Manora consumers led by Anthony Fernandes, who approached the electricity section office to lodge a complaint following a power failure in the morning, found to their shock and surprise that the office was not manned by any personnel. Instead, they found the office door locked from outside, indicating that the staff had already left the office without waiting for the morning shift personnel to take over.
Anthony pointed that he and other consumers had just gone to the power office since no one was receiving the calls, only to find the door locked. “We have demanded immediate action against the staff who were not found in the office during that time,” he demanded.
When The Goan contacted senior Power officer, Halgenkar to shed light on the episode, he said the office staff had indeed locked the office to proceed on the field to switch off the street lights. “Yes, when the consumers approached the section office, it was found closed. But, my inquiries revealed that the office staff had proceeded on the field to switch off the street lights,” he said.
The Green Goa Foundation urged Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to direct the Anti-Corruption Bureau to expedite investigations into the Rs 3.79 crore fraud in the Cuncolim Municipal Council by filing the charge sheet at the earliest.
The Foundation has also appealed to the Chief Minister to appoint an administrator to take over the function and control of the affairs of the CMC to prevent tampering the records.
In his petition, GGF chairman Raison Almeida underlined the need for expeditious investigations into the misappropriation of funds. He demanded that it is vital that the names of the offenders be made public to enable the general public to assist in pointing out how and where the illegalities have been committed. “The people of Cuncolim had placed their faith and trust in your government moto for zero tolerance to corruption. Do not let the people down. Instead, issue immediate directions to the ACB to file the charge sheet in the matter,” he said, adding that it would not be out of place to state that the government has the powers to take over the management and affairs of the council under the Goa Municipalities Act.
