Team Herald
MARGAO: Congress leader and former Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Savio Coutinho has raised serious concerns over what he claims to be an illegal recruitment process for the position of site supervisor. According to Coutinho, the recruitment process violates the Municipal Act’s outlined rules and has been conducted improperly.
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Coutinho recalled how objections were raised when the MMC initially issued a notice for various vacancies, particularly over the omission of the requirement for “knowledge of Konkani” for the Site Supervisor post. Following his objections, the MMC issued a corrigendum to make knowledge of Konkani mandatory. However, Coutinho pointed out that the corrigendum notice was incomplete, lacking both a date and an outward number, rendering it invalid. With the application
deadline now passed, he argues that the recruitment process as a whole stands null and void.
The former chairperson stressed that the recruitment process for the Site Supervisor post is illegal because the position is meant to be filled through promotion, not direct recruitment. Coutinho backed his claims by producing a copy of the recruitment rules, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that criticized the Chief Secretary for manipulation of recruitment rules. He questioned whether the MMC and the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) would continue with what he deems to be an unlawful procedure.
Further, Coutinho criticized the Margao MLA, alleging misuse of public funds, citing the engagement of 10 drivers on a contract basis by the Council without proper resolution or assessment of need. He called on the public to recognise these actions and warned that if the MMC fails to rectify these issues, he will have no choice but to pursue legal action.
