VASCO: The Mormugao Municipal Council special meeting on Monday approved a proposal to construct 20-bedded hospital as Sada.
The meeting held atRavindra Bhavan, Baina witnessed heated arguments over the issue of providing workers to councillors and failure to plug revenue losses.
After chairing the meeting, Mormugao chairperson Girish Borker said that the meeting gave its nod for the construction of 20-bedded Hospital at Sada. At the same time, he added that the proposal for a petrol pump would also be taken on the same land belonging to the State government.
According to Borker, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar had proposed the construction of a hospital on the government land at Sada and since it is a good proposal, the council gave its approval. He said that setting up of a petrol pump will help the municipal council to generate revenues.
The council discussed the issue of municipal properties being given on lease. Borker said that the first lessee of municipal properties have sublet shops and a different person is currently running these shops.
Borker hinted that the Mormugao council will now implement the decision taken by the Mapusa municipal council wherein the chief officer has issued an order to transfer their shops from the original lessee to the present person and have shop area to levy additional fees. The Mormugao municipal council had nearly 400 and it was receiving less revenue from these lessees.
Referring to the issue of councillors complaining over the shortage of labourers, Borker admitted that there was shortage of staff as many workers had resigned and the council was unable to recruit the staff due to financial constraints. He said that the council has decided to first generate revenue and go ahead with the recruitment process.
Borker said that the council is also engaged in litigation with the occupants in the municipal buildings thereby affecting the revenue generation. He said the council will now seek the assistance of the Chief Minister to resolve the legal issues so that this ‘A’ class municipality gets some income.