HC had ordered regularising services of 12 workers
MARGAO
In what is seen as a major embarrassment to the Margao Municipal Council, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a Special Leave Petition challenging the order of the High Court which had issued directions to the MMC to regularise the services of the 12 daily wage workers.
Disposing of Special Leave Petition, a Supreme Court division Bench comprising of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Prasanna B Varale, in an order said “We find no grounds to interfere with the impugned judgement and order of the High Court. Hence, the present Special Leave Petition is dismissed”, the Court said.
The Bhimshakti Sangatan was quick to slam the Margao Municipal Council for filing the SLP in the Supreme Court, with Sangatan South Goa President Savio Coutinho condemning the level of desperation of MMC Chief Damu Shirodkar and PWD minister Digambar Kamat for harassing the poor sanitation workers.
Addressing the media, Coutinho questioned whether the Council nod was taken before approaching the Supreme Court with their SLP without any grounds. He also charged the MMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar and Chairperson Damu Shirodkar for chicanery of telling the media that they would implement the order of the High Court, while stealthy filing a petition before the Supreme Court.
Profusely thanking the Judiciary at both the levels of High Court and Supreme Court, Bhimshakti Sangatan called upon all the daily wage workers who are being exploited without conferring them permanent status, to come forward and fight for justice. "Judiciary is the only reliable hope left for you, and Bhimshakti Sangatan will strongly stand with you in your fight for justice", Coutinho said.
Giving details of the Supreme Court order, Adv. Snehal Onskar stated that a Special Leave Petition(Civil), Diary No. 11140/2026 was filed before the Supreme Court by the State of Goa and MMC, against Municipal workers Domnic Furtado and 11 others, arising out of impugned final Judgement and order dated 04/08/2025 in WP. 120/2021 passed by the High Court at Goa.
The matter which came up for hearing before Justice Aravind Kumar and Hon'ble Justice Prasanna B. Varale; while condoning the delay, stated that no Grounds are found by the Supreme Court to interfere with the impugned Judgement and order of the High Court. The Supreme Court further said in it's order that all pending application(s) if any, shall also stand disposed, Adv. Snehal informed.
Lincoln Gomes stated that the Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister should intervene in this matter and take strictest action against those involved for not only harassment of poor and marginalized sections but also for the misuse of public funds.
