MARGAO: The storm over the new seven-seater vehicle worth Rs17.9 lakh of the MMC Chairperson has subsided just as the MMC prepares to give back the vehicle. The MMC Chairperson has confirmed that she will be returning the vehicle soon. The ways for the return are still unclear but the Chairperson has claimed that they have decided on returning the vehicle.
Sources from MMC have confirmed that the Chairperson had a meeting with the administration wherein a discussion was held on the plan to return the vehicle. However, there has been no written correspondence on the same till Tuesday evening.On August 9, the Herald had reported the purchase of the vehicle by the MMC even after having full knowledge of the deficiency of funds at MMC. The deficiency was proven by arrears dues payment notice sent to publications on the same day. The fact that the money used here is from the MMC funds was also exposed.On August 10, the Shadow Council demonstrated at MMC over the purchase of new vehicle by the chairperson allegedly by flouting the rules of Municipality. The MMC’s all time low of revenue collections with outstanding nearly Rs 8 crores was also exposed by Herald. However, the Chairperson got highly defiant and claimed that there is a provision of Rs 33 lakhs for the vehicle of a chairperson. This was later exposed in the circular stating the limit for the purchase of vehicle for MMC is only Rs 11.5 lakh compared to the Rs 17.9 lakh vehicle purchased by the chairperson.The Chairperson of MMC, Babita Angle, when questioned claimed “Innova vehicle has been bought by other council Chairpersons of Goa too. Why don’t you question them and or chase them for clarification on the same?”
On August 11 Herald highlighted how the entire process of buying the Rs 17.9 lakh vehicle by the Margao Municipal Council Chairperson and Chief Officer was flouting the Finance Department mandates. Finally on August 15, the mentor of Fatorda Forward, Vijai Sardesai advised MMC chairperson to return the vehicle and also asked her to pay the money herself. Vijai also went one step ahead and advised the Chairperson to travel in her own vehicle to set a good precedent.
