Curchorem: The Curchrem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) in its council meeting held on Thursday decided to outsource the maintenance and functioning of their Gymnasium Fitness Centre and Multipurpose hall at Carriamoddi, Kakoda.
Chairperson Balkrishna (Pinty) Hodarkar said the local MLA Nilesh Cabral sent him a letter forwarding a memorandum from the Association of Carriamoddi Ward Gymnasium Fitness Centre and Multipurpose Hall, Carriamoddi-Curchorem and asked to place it before the council meeting.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“Accordingly I placed it and the council decided to send the proposal to the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) to get his approval to outsource the functioning and maintenance of Gymnasium and Multipurpose hall to the association without auctioning,” said Hodarkar
Expressing his displeasure over the development, Hodarkar said that since the proposal is approved by the council, he has no option but to send it for DMA’s approval. “But according to my knowledge, all the municipal property is public property and any public property cannot be outsourced or leased to any private party, individual or Institution/Society without auctioning it and therefore in my personal opinion it is wrong to send such a proposal.” said Hodarkar.
Power Minister Cabral, who was present for the meeting informed that councils are incurring a lot of expenditure on the maintenance of the municipal properties and therefore he suggested that they form committees with municipal officials as its member secretary who can collect the fees/rent and maintain them.
“The Councils is spending a lot of money on the maintenance of its properties and to stop such trend, I suggested to them to form committees of particular buildings/complexes and after registering them after Societies Act, authorize them after to collect the fees and allow them to spend 50% of the income on the maintenance and remaining 50% they have to give to municipality,” said Cabral, while adding that since this is a new proposal, it will be sent to the government to get the approval.
When asked what action the government will take in the midst of COVID situation since the term of council is ending in November this year, Cabral said that councilor’s term is only for 5 years and they cannot remain in office for more than that. “This situation arose for the first time, the government will examine the issue and take the decision accordingly.” said Cabral.
The council also took up many other pending issues at the meeting, which could be their last.
