MARGAO
An unprecedented administration crisis is staring at the Margao Municipal Council for want of a Chief Officer in the wake of last week’s government transfer order.
The Margao civic body is facing an “administrative vacuum,” with questions being raised who will sign the salary bill of employees, which is due on Wednesday. It’s now three working days and the municipality has been functioning without a Chief Officer.
The government had on Thursday last transferred incumbent Chief Officer Ajit Panchwadkar from the MMC and had posted Biju Naik as the new MMC CO.
While Panchwadkar has claimed that he has assumed charge as the Director, Administration, PWD, Biju Naik has still not taken charge at the MMC.
What has further compounded matters is Biju Naik’s utterance that she has officially not assumed office as MMC CO and Panchwadkar continues to function as the CO of municipality.
Against the backdrop of the bitter feud with MMC Chairperson Pooja Naik over several issues, sources said Panchwadkar does not have any intention to step in the MMC building.
In fact, he has told his close aides that he had applied to the government for his transfer from Margao in July last, adding that he has no plans to fill up the vacuum at the Municipality.
Given the unprecedented situation, wherein the MMC has been functioning without a Chief Officer, paralysing the administration, Chairperson Pooja Naik was believed to have called up the new CO Biju Naik, but the latter is believed to have told the Chairperson that she may assume duties only on Monday next.
Left with no option, the MMC Chairperson was believed to have called up the Director of Municipal Administration Dr Tariq Thomas to brief him of the unprecedented situation in the civic body.
“I have brought the matter to the notice of the DMA, who has promised to work out a solution,” the Chairperson claimed.
Given that both the Margao and Mormugao councils are A-class civic bodies, an arrangement is in place wherein if the Chief Officer of either of these is absent or proceeds on leave, the CO of these bodies act as a link officer to hold additional charge.
It was unclear till Tuesday evening whether the DMA will direct the Chief Officer of Mormugao municipality to take care of the Margao civic body till the new officer assumes office.
When The Goan contacted Biju Naik, reiterated since she has not taken charge of MMC, the incumbent officer continues to function as the CO.
