TEAM HERALD
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CURCHOREM: A major showdown between local authorities is on the cards, with Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes asking the Quepem Deputy Collector and SDM to file an FIR against officials of Curchorem Electricity Department, Water Resources Department and PWD for failing to comply with directions to carry out pre-monsoon works.
Speaking to Herald, Fernandes informed that the electricity department was directed to prune the trees dangerously close to the electricity cables, in a meeting with the Additional Collector, Margao, on April 14 and in a subsequent meeting with the Quepem Deputy Collector on May 6, to prepare a Disaster Management Plan.
The WRD was directed to de-silt the storm water drains and the PWD (Div XXV, Fatorda) was asked to clean the cross drains, which are maintained by PWD.
“But till date, these departments have not done any work. Hence, I have asked the Deputy Collector to file an FIR against officials of these departments responsible for the negligence,” informed Fernandes.
“The meetings which take place before monsoon to tackle the monsoon-related problems have become a mere formality to show the public, as no department is complying with any order except the fire services, the mamlatdar’s office and Police Department, where they attend to calls,” he said.
He also criticised the electricity department for failing to prune the trees even after CCMC identified the trees with a round forester, a forest guard and a representative from the electricity department.
