TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CANACONA: The effects of the flash floods in Cuncolim could be felt at the distant Canacona Municipal Council (CMC), after the presiding officer was unable to convene the special meeting to discuss the no-confidence motion against CMC Chairperson Ajay Bhagat on Wednesday.
Suspecting political interference in the postponement of the meeting thereby giving Bhagat temporary reprieve, the six aggrieved councillors met the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) and the DMA assured them that the special meeting has been postponed to next week.
According to sources, the drama unfolded on Wednesday morning when all six councillors who had signed the no-trust motion against Bhagat went to the CMC office, only to be left stunned when CMC Chief Officer Pradeep Naik informed them that the specially convened meet had been postponed.
The DMA had appointed Cuncolim Municipal Council Chief Officer Praveen Barad to preside over the meeting at the Canacona Municipal Council, scheduled at 11 am on Wednesday.
Sources informed that Barad was reportedly seen taking stock of the flash floods at Cuncolim, which had led to the inundation of over 150 houses in Cuncolim, till late Tuesday night.
Barad was indisposed on Wednesday and reportedly informed of his inability to reach Canacona to preside over the scheduled meet. Accordingly, the DMA is learnt to have postponed the meeting and informed the decision to CMC chief officer a few minutes before the meeting was to commence.
Incidentally, the remaining four councillors, including Bhagat, also reached the council but were visibly relieved on learning about the unexpected development.
It was only when copies of the DMA’s faxed order to postpone the meeting were handed over to the protesting councillors that all the six councillors led by Mahadev Dessai left.
Suspecting political interference in the matter, the aggrieved councillors proceeded to Panjim to demand an explanation from the DMA.
“The DMA gave us a patient hearing and informed us about the indisposition of the presiding officer, which had led to the postponement of the meet. The DMA assured to hold the special meeting next Wednesday,” Dessai told Herald.
Councillors Ramakant Naik Gaunkar, Suchita Naik Gaunkar, Champa Pagui, Ratnakar Dhuri, and Deputy Chairperson Rajeshri Pagi accompanied Dessai to the DMA meet.
