TEAM HERALD
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CANACONA: The Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) has ordered an enquiry against Canacona Municipal Council chief officer for alleged abuse of power, theft of passports and other belongings, while carrying out demolition of a house of a Dutch national at Palolem.
In an order dated May 17, Director of Municipal Administration Elvis P Gomes has asked the Additional Collector (South Goa) Narayan Navti to conduct an enquiry within 45 days and submit report to the government for appropriate action.
The order further stated that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza and Director of Municipal Administration have received a grievance letter dated April 24 from Dr Salee Eden of Palolem.
Dr Eden in his letter had raised grievances against alleged abuse of power by CMC chief officer, theft of passports and other belongings during the demolition of his house carried out by CMC.
“The government is of the opinion that an enquiry is required to be conducted into the alleged action of the chief officer including theft of property and other related matters,” states the order.
It may be recalled that soon after CMC carried out demolition of an alleged illegal structure on April 22, the Dutch national wrote to the chief minister, deputy chief minister and director of Municipal Administration demanding action against the CMC Chief Officer Pradeep Naik and 17 other municipal officials for allegedly partially damaging his house.
Eden also accused the chief officer and others of taking away three passports, four credit cards, I-pad, cash of Rs 10,000, 2,000 US dollars, 500 euros, laptop, video camera, camera, tables, chairs, cupboard, TV, lights, books, utensils, clothes, etc, all worth around Rs 8.05 lakh, without conducting any inventory.
