Against the backdrop of the ongoing power struggle between former Cuncolim MLA Joaquim Alemao backed Cuncolim Municipal Council and the supporters of Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik, controversy erupted over the demolition of the cattle pound that had become a bone of contention between the two groups.
It may be recalled that the MLA has been pursuing the shifting of the cattle pound to make way for a walker’s park project, a move that has been rejected by the council. Furthermore, plans to shift the cattle pound to the garbage treatment plant site also ran into opposition with the council pointing out that the land acquired for the garbage treatment plant should be used for nothing else.
The ongoing controversy began after the Cuncolim Municipal Council ruling group decided to file a police complaint against Opposition Councillor Ashok Fadte for allegedly demolishing the cattle pound of CMC at Maddicotto. Chairperson, Lavita Mascarenhas, while speaking to Herald alleged that with the cooperation of MLA Rajan Naik, opposition councillor Ashok Fadte has demolished council property which is an offence and hence the ruling group decided to file a police complaint.
It may also be recalled that Rajan Naik initiated to shift the temporary cattle pound at Maddicotto to the IDC garbage treatment plant. Naik claims that the past council passed a resolution in this regard and nothing is illegal in it. “In fact, I am spending my own money for this shifting since the council said that they do not have the funds to carry out this work,” said Naik. He also said the ruling councilors, on the request of their boss, Joaquim Alemao are leveling unwanted allegations against him and his councillors. “Since they do not have any reason to criticize me, they are making allegations. There is nothing illegal in this shifting,” said Fadte and Naik.
Lavita Mascarenhas said that Fadte demolished council property without informing the council and that is why they are filing a police complaint against him and theat they’re also asking police to take strict action. The chairperson also questioned how anybody can interfere with council property and said that if the cattle pound needed shifting, they would have done it legally.
Meanwhile VCP, Mario Morais filed a complaint against Chief Officer Pandharinath Naik in the Vigilance Department and has demanded to take strict action against Naik. Morais, in his complaint leveled serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the CO. In the past, the CO had filed police complaints against Morais on two occasions and on both occasions, Morais applied for anticipatory bail which was granted to him.
