MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Ajit Panchwadkar has been shunted out of the civic body. Biju Naik is transferred and posted as the new Margao Municipal Chief Officer.
Panchwadkar’s ten-month stint in office ended on Thursday after the government issued the transfer order. During his stint, the Chief Officer had his share of controversies, with a lady employee accusing him for harassment. He was also engaged in a cold war with Margao Municipal Chairperson Pooja Naik over a host of issues.
Panchwadkar’s birthday party, which was attended by councillors and his well-wishers two days ago, had evoked outrage on social media after he was accused for hosting the celebration by throwing social distancing to the winds.
Panchwadkar had assumed office around 10 months ago after he succeeded Siddivinayak Naik as the MMC Chief Officer.
The Union under the banner of Goa Municipal Employees Association repeatedly charged the Chief Officer for meting out harassment to the employees. The Union also accused the Chief Officer for meting out harassment to a lady employee. In fact, the Association took up cudgels for the employee and served a strike notice earlier this week, demanding the Chief Officer’s transfer or face a strike.
Panchwadkar’s tenure was marked by a cold war with the Municipal Chairperson, unheard of in the corridors of the Margao civic body in recent times. The Goa Forward-controlled MMC headed by Chairperson Pooja Naik had even accused the Chief Officer for stalling development works at the behest of the ruling government, a claim rubbished by the outgoing Chief Officer.
In fact, both the MMC Chairperson and the Chief Officer were seen at loggerheads over a host of issues, including inter-departmental transfers of employees, payment of wages, etc.
Panchwadkar’s transfer was long overdue: MMC chairperson
MARGAO: Welcoming the Chief Officer’s transfer, Margao Municipal Chairperson Pooja Naik has said the transfer was long overdue and has come as a blessing for the common citizens of Margao and Fatorda.
“It is not just the latest flouting of Covid-19 guidelines by Panchwadkar on his birthday that has done great harm to the image of the Council. His entire tenure of the last 10 months has been one of non-cooperation with the elected councillors and council and intended to sabotage all public works and to paralyse the administration.”
“I am sure his transfer will bring in a welcome change in the functioning of the MMC and will enable all elected councillors to work effectively for the people of Fatorda and Margao,” she added.
