Team Herald
MARGAO: Milagres Fernandes, the sopo contractor for the Margao Municipal Council, on Saturday responded to allegations made by certain councillors and political figures, challenging them to take the matter to court and demanding an inquiry against the councillor who allegedly took documents from the Municipality illegally.
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Speaking to reporters, Fernandes stated that he has been unfairly targeted by a councillor from the civic body and a political leader from Fatorda.
He emphasised that he obtained the sopo contract after completing all the required legal procedures and was surprised to see objections not coming from the competing bidder, but from individuals with no connection to the contract. “The other bidder had every right to raise objections or challenge the contract process if it were illegal. This contract was issued following the online procedure,” Fernandes remarked.
He pointed out that there were no records of an RTI application seeking documents or information about the sopo contract at the Municipality. However, he claimed that one of the councillors had taken documents from the municipal office without authorisation and shared them publicly, which he called a criminal act.
“We demand that the Chief Officer file a complaint against the concerned councillor,” Fernandes said.
Reflecting on past difficulties in securing a sopo contractor, Fernandes explained that no contractor was willing to take on the contract due to potential losses. He, however, took the initiative to bid in order to help the civic body
generate revenue.
Fernandes also accused a political leader from Fatorda of inciting certain councillors to make allegations against him, describing these actions as completely unfair.
