MARGAO
The controversial Master Plan 2041 for Margao took the centre stage at the Margao Municipal Council after Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai demanded to know whether Director of Municipal Administration Gurudas Pilarnekar has opted for voluntary retirement due to pressure from politicians to implement the Master plan.
Taking the platform of the felicitation programme of Pilarnekar by the Margao Municipal Council in the MMC hall on Monday, Sardesai not only sought to know whether the Director of Municipal Administration has opted for voluntary retirement because of the Master plan, but raised questions how come consultants from outside the state was roped in to prepare the master plan for Margao.
“I do not know the exact reason behind Pilarnekar’s decision to opt for voluntary retirement, whether due to pressure from the powers that be to implement their agenda including the Master plan for Margao”, he said.
Sardesai, however, said he would raise the issue of the Master plan in the coming Assembly session given that the Plan seeks to develop and exploit areas including agricultural fields for commercial use.
‘There are instances when good officers do not want to take pressure from the Ministers, MLAs and politicians and hence opt for voluntary retirement. There’s an impression in Margao that the commercial capital is up for sale as evident by the projects mooted in the Master plan”, he said.
Making a fervent plea to the Margao city Fathers to remain alert and vigilant on the Master Plan, Sardesai reminded the Councillors that they have the responsibility since they are elected by the people.
