MARGAO: A group of citizen activists from Margao filed a representation before Anitha Balakrishna, the Principal Accountant General (CAG, Goa), demanding a detailed audit into the various financial irregularities at the Margao Municipal Council (MMC).
The Shadow Council of Margao (SCM) outlined their concerns in the representation, emphasising that despite exposing these malpractices with substantial evidence, it appears that there has been little scrutiny of these scandals and no accountability for those responsible. SCM Convenor Savio Coutinho expressed his bewilderment at the lack of attention paid to these matters, which have implications for the public exchequer.
Upon hearing of the CAG Audit at the MMC, SCM submitted a list of nine issues, calling upon the CAG for a serious review.
The citizens alleged that an agency was appointed for door-to-door waste collection, by neither following codal formalities, nor was an agreement or MOU executed between the Council and the agency. “However, over Rs 10 lakh of payments were made to the agency every month in the absence of any MOU or contract. Instead of initiating the process of inviting
tenders, illegal and haphazard extensions were given, they added.
“Private agencies were introduced primarily for segregated waste collection, however what eventually reached the Sonsoddo dumpyard was mixed waste, which could not be treated, and went for further remediation, involving additional financial burden to the tune of several crores of rupees. Till date, not a single kilogram of compost has been derived from the so-called segregated waste collected,” alleged Coutinho.
“It may also be pointed out that recyclables collected generate zero revenue for the Council, as the agencies pay their workers half the amount paid by the Council; and their workers are given the freedom to sell the recyclables and earn additional income,” Coutinho added.
SCM also stated that three BS4 Engine trucks were purchased, without following codal formalities. “Margao Municipal Council has lost Rs 37 lakh in this shoddy purchase, knowing well that these BS4 engine trucks would face a ban by the Supreme court,” he added.
In respect to the purchase of two vehicles tagged as ‘bio-rickshaws’, SCM revealed that a post-dated cheque was collected from the service provider, as guarantee. This cheque got dishonoured and till date no action is taken for the recovery of the loss of over Rs eight lakh, the activists pointed out.
“The CAG was also called upon to check upon the assets of the Council, as no periodic inventory is ever conducted by the Council. It was stated that after a great deal of hardships, which included a yearlong struggle before the State Information Commission, SCM got information under RTI, that the Council is in possession of 208 mobile handsets.
However, the inspection of these 208 handsets was denied. It was requested that the CAG check upon this and verify the existence of the 208 mobile phones, as their resale could surely fetch revenue for the Council,” SCM stated.
