TEAM HERALD
CURCHOREM: The special meeting of Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council on Friday evening witnessed heated arguments between the chief officer and councillors over the issue of allegations by traders that councillors were demanding bribes.
During the meeting on Friday, it was decided to send a notice to the trader concerned, who had alleged that councillors were taking ‘haftas’ from traders. It was also decided to ask the trader to name those councillors demanding bribes from him, failing which a defamation case would be filed against the trader.
The council also decided to ask the trader concerned to justify his allegation and if he failed to prove the allegation, he would be asked to tender a public apology.
“Allegations are levelled against the councillors and the chairperson is simply watching without uttering a single ward,” complained Councillor Pushkal Sawant.
“On humanitarian ground, we were lenient in taking action against those traders involved in illegal encroachments, but they are levelling false allegation against us that we are taking bribes,” said a councillor.
The council also decided to send notices to traders who have not paid rent for years and to terminate their agreement, if they failed to pay the rent.
