CURCHOREM: The cleaning work of Curchorem market drainage and other main drainages have begun and likely to be completed before the onset of monsoons.
When contacted newly elected Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) Chairperson Vishwas Sawant to know about the pre-monsoon works and financial provision, he said that they have not yet started the pre-monsoon works in any of the municipal wards except the main drainages.
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“Cleanliness work which is in progress in the wards has been carried out by the local MLA and since the council meeting is not held yet, the pre-monsoon works are not yet started,” said Sawant and informed that the municipal contract labourers are doing the required work in every ward throughout the year.
According to the sources, the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) has not given any special grants to carry out the pre-monsoon works but has granted permission to spend Rs 4 lakh from the municipal funds.
Reacting to the delay in commencement, former councillor Manohar Naik blamed the council for failing to convene the special council meeting and to appoint various council committees on priority basis.
“If the MLA’s labourers clean the drainage/gutters then what the council members are doing? It looks like their job is over once they elect a chairperson and now they are depending on the MLA to do all their work,” said Naik.
He further said that to carry out work in the respective wards is the duty of the councillors and not of the MLA.
“MLA should only help the council to get government’s financial support to carry out various developmental activities in the jurisdiction of the municipality. The council must clean the gutters, choked drains, cut bushes, trim trees before onset of the monsoons to prevent flooding and other monsoon related hazards. But the council is quite about it,” stated Naik and asked when they will call meeting, appoint committees and start working.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that CCMC Chief Officer Ajay Gaude has been transferred to North Goa as Deputy Collector (Revenue) and the additional charge is given to Deputy Collector of Quepem Nilesh Dhaigodkar.
