In a decision likely to hit the pockets of residents, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday confirmed the minutes of a previous meeting that included the controversial hike in municipal taxes and fees, disregarding protests and objections from opposition councillors and civil society groups.
Despite widespread discontent over the move — including street-level protests and formal complaints — MMC Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar went ahead with the approval, triggering sharp criticism from opposition members during what turned into a fiery and at times chaotic council session.
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With the minutes now confirmed, the hike will be implemented, paving the way for significantly higher taxes for Margao citizens across several categories. Opposition councillors clashed with the chairperson and ruling panel, warning the council not to over-commit on infrastructure spending without assessing the financial implications. Some members cautioned that the new projects being approved could strain the municipal budget and leave the council exposed to future financial risks.
At a press briefing after the meeting, Shirodkar attempted to shift focus to infrastructure reforms. He announced that the Hydronic Parking Project had been greenlit to tackle urban parking woes and hinted that more parking facilities were being considered on a smaller scale across Margao, depending on the feasibility of identified sites.
The council also approved a proposal to introduce a pay-parking system in four to five locations identified by the traffic police, with fees fixed at Rs 5 per hour for two-wheelers and Rs 10 for four-wheelers.
In a bid to address the city’s plastic waste burden, Shirodkar confirmed that 15 Treatment of Plastic Waste (TPL) units would be set up at Sonsodo. Beautification work around the plant, as suggested by Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, will also be undertaken.
Further, the council approved the renovation of the MMC building and announced that all municipal vehicles would be repainted to match the building’s colour scheme for better identification.
Another major infrastructure update involves the long-overdue renovation of the old Margao bus stand, which will now be taken up by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA).
On the legal front, the municipal advocate’s tenure was extended for another six months. The council also cleared a resolution to appoint a full-time legal advisor to strengthen its capacity to manage legal issues.
Shirodkar also said that efforts were underway to resolve the long-pending matter of rehabilitating gadda owners and local vegetable vendors, though no concrete timeline was announced.
While the Chairperson exuded confidence that the approved measures would improve civic amenities and streamline urban governance, critics within the council questioned the timing and scale of the reforms — especially as residents prepare to shoulder the burden of steeper municipal charges.
