MARGAO: The purchase of a brand new vehicle for Margao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Babita Angle has kicked up a row across Margao.
Responding to questions from reporters, MMC chairperson Babita Angle informed that there is a provision of Rs 33 lakh for purchasing a vehicle for the chairperson. The Citizens of Margao and the Shadow Council of Margao have viewed this purchase seriously and on Wednesday held demonstrations outside the offices of the chairperson and chief officer. They later met the chief officer and told him that the provision and limit to purchase a vehicle for MMC chief is only Rs 11.5 lakh as compared to the Rs 17 lakh spent on procuring the new vehicle for the chairperson.
When questioned by the media on the issue, Angle replied saying, “Innova vehicle has been bought by chairpersons of other councils in Goa too. Why don’t you question them and or chase them for clarification on the same?”
The Corolla Altis vehicle presently used by the chairperson has crossed 93,000 kms and in addition the vehicle has not even completed 5 years till date. The chairperson said, “The council had taken a decision to exchange the old vehicle under a buyback scheme.”
When asked if there is a provision for the same in the MMC rules, she said, “There is no provision hence we sought for changes in the rules”. The Chairperson’s remarks prove that the vehicle worth Rs 17 lakh has been bought without any legal backing or provision.
Likewise there are 39 workers in the MMC who have completed 10 years in service but they have not received their rightful increase in remuneration. The arrears, which have been due for decades have now crossed over Rs 8 crore. The MMC has also not received salary grants for 2 years and the council has surprised the town and its employees by purchasing a vehicle worth Rs 17 lakh.
Following the chairperson’s statement claiming there is a provision of Rs 33 lakh to purchase the vehicle, the Chief Officer was questioned wherein he said, “The total budget provision for MMC vehicles is Rs 1 crore.”
Meanwhile, former chairperson Savio Coutinho, while speaking to media informed that there is no provision of Rs 33 lakh for purchasing a vehicle for the chairperson and the limit is Rs 11.5 lakh.
The Municipal employees have also criticised the move of MMC of buying vehicle from the municipal funds. One of the Group D employees of the MMC while speaking to Herald said “The MMC has money to buy Rs 17 lakh car but has no money to pay our rightful dues and allowances. 39 of our employees have not received any raise beyond the salaries for years,” he said.
The Shadow Council has decided to go ahead and file a complaint against this vehicle purchase soon if the MMC fails to come out clear on the issue.
