At the meeting held to discuss and approve the budget estimates for the financial year 2015-16, the Chief Officer appeared blunt when he said the Margao Municipality should not only go for the construction of drains and gutters, but take up projects taking into account the city’s interests.
He pointed that the government had sanctioned Rs 3 crore to undertake a signature project in the city under the Golden Jubilee celebration scheme and that the MMC had planned to utilise the funds for construction of drains and gutters in the city, drawing applause from the audience.
Taking offence, the city fathers led by Chairperson Gonzaco Rebello tried to catch the chief officer on the wrong foot, saying the council has already resolved to build a multi-parking lot at the old fish market as part of the signature project. Former chairperson Arthur D’Silva asked the chief officer not to misguide the people saying the file pertaining to the parking lot project is already awaiting approval from the planning point of view.
When Councillor Tito Cardozo sought to known about the fate of the projects under the tribal sub-plan, the chief officer again sought to know why the municipality is only interested in going for gutters and drainages in the city, prompting Cardozo to assert that his ward has a large percentage of ST population.
Again, when the citizens met the Chief Officer in his chamber with their grievances, Naveen said the people are the real power and nobody else. After giving a patient hearing to the citizens, Naveen said, “As an IAS officer, I cannot make a political statement, but you people are the real power and nobody else. They (councillors) have to just listen to you”
Earlier, Councillor Pratima Coutinho cried over the budget estimates saying the figures are unrealistic. “When you have not received even Rs 2 crore for development, how can the civic body expect the government to give Rs 38.13 crore?” she asked. The budget was deemed to have been later passed even though Pratima was heard telling the councillors that she has some more points to make on the budget.
