Team Herald
MARGAO: Citizens of Margao are demanding accountability from the Margao Municipal Council regarding the recovery of Rs 14 lakh that was misappropriated by its staff. Residents are eager for answers about when the council will address this financial misconduct, which has left them shocked at the silence of local political leaders.
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Just a day before, Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar had stated that the council had given the police the authority to arrest the staffer, a lower division clerk, involved. He said the civic body had initiated the process to recover the funds. The funds in question were revenues from the Margao feast fair held in May, that were improperly deposited into the staffer’s personal bank account rather than the municipal treasury.
Savio Coutinho, former MMC Chairperson, expressed his frustration over the lack of action from the civic body despite repeated calls for resolution. “The civic body is sidestepping the issue to avoid accountability. It’s shocking that local political leaders have not addressed this, which suggests that the accused may have protection,” he said.
Coutinho further pointed out that, according to municipal rules, the staff member involved should have already faced termination. “They must recover the money, regardless of the circumstances, because it is public money,” he asserted. He also alleged that the civic body has previously shown favouritism towards the sopo collector.
