the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa Municipalities Act is categorical in saying that council meetings are open to the public though the citizens are barred from taking part in the proceedings. Citizens, however, contend that though the doors of the meeting hall are thrown open to them to attend the meetings, there is no adequate sitting arrangement for them inside the hall.
During the previous term, citizens used to attend the meetings in large numbers since they could avail of the sitting arrangement in the municipal hall. However, ever since the new body has taken charge of office after October 2015, citizens have been literally made to fend for themselves for want of adequate sitting arrangements.
The reason is simple: While the previous body used to conduct the meetings from the dais, leaving the chairs and sofas in the municipal hall for the citizens to occupy, the new council had been holding the meetings in the hall meant for the audience.
Says activist Nelson Fernandes: “We have found out off late that citizens had been finding difficult to get a seat in the municipal hall during the meetings for want of adequate seating arrangement. We have no problem if the meetings are conducted in the hall meant for the audience, but let the Chairperson and the city fathers at least allow the citizens to sit on the dais.”
Another citizen Jose Marie Miranda pointed out that the very purpose of the Goa Municipalities Act to allow citizens to attend the meetings will be defeated if there’s no adequate seating arrangement.
A lot of interest has been generated about tomorrow’s meeting with city-based lawyer Adv Rajiv Gomes asking the citizens to turn up at the municipal hall for the deliberations. Around 14 points are listed on the meeting agenda, including the controversial issue of the purchase of the Toyota Innova car for the Chairperson.
The meeting is also expected to deliberate and approve the revised vending committees for the year 2016-17 and to discuss a proposal to reduce license fees for repairs of commercial premises and simplify the issue of trade license.
