TEAM HERALD
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POINGUINIM: The lone ailing aged fire tender at Canacona was finally taken to a workshop for repairs.
It may be recalled that Herald had recently highlighted about the fire tender allotted to Canacona taluka which was prone to frequent breakdowns. The fire fighters were often confronted by angry locals when the fire tender was delayed to reach the site.
According to Director of Fire Services Ashok Menon, the spare parts of the fire tender (GA-01-G-3500) are easily available all over the State, but those operating the vehicle at Canacona claimed that the replacement parts have to be procured from Margao, Verna or Panjim and most of the time they have to shelve money from their own pockets.
It is learnt that there are no trained mechanical persons at Canacona to repair the vehicle except for minor repairs and in case of major repairs the Fire Brigade personnel have to call in the services of the company people from Margao or Panjim.
Sources informed that bills of the service persons are not cleared immediately and there is a huge pending bill that has to be cleared from the Accounts department of the Fire Services.
Some locals have accused the Canacona Fire Brigade personnel of using the vehicle to supply drinking water in their courtyards and their neighbours.
However when questioned, the station officer denied and rubbished the allegation.
