MARGAO: A war of words was witnessed on Friday between Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes and Councillor Damodar Shirodkar over the issue of unattended drainage waste.
Chairperson Lyndon Pereira called upon the councillor to discuss the circular issued by the Directorate of Municipal Administration with regard to guidelines of development works.
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Councillor Damodar in the meeting said, “The council has not removed the roadside waste of drains, despite several requests.”
He warned that all the unattended waste will be dumped in front of the Chief Officer’s and Municipal Engineer’s houses if it was not removed immediately. Upon which the CO expressed anger.
Speaking to the media persons, the CO said the councillor has warned of dumping the waste in front of his house. “I am not a servant. He (Damu) should keep in mind that I am a government officer. I am not afraid of his threats,” he said.
He admitted that there is a problem of space at Sonsoddo.
“The Sonsoddo dump yard is almost full and the MMC is facing a tough time in order to dump the daily waste generated in the commercial city,” he said.
He said that this meeting was with regard to a circular issued by the DMA pertaining to development works.
“We are planning to dump the wet waste near the KTC bus stand. However, the objections from some bus owners have created hurdles before the MMC,” he informed.
While Councillor Damodar Shirodkar alleged that the Chief Officer is only doing the duty of signing the papers and nothing else and is least bothered about the issues related to the municipality.
“I had requested the chairperson to remove the waste lying by the roadside. But till date, nothing has been done and no municipal vehicle has been sent to clear it. As a result, it has led to all is a mess. Even the requests of citizens were ignored by the municipality,” he further alleged.
Damodar said that his request to remove the waste within the next two days was also ignored. “I cannot tolerate the excuses all the time. Are councillors supposed to plead before the municipal workers?,” he questioned.
He said that this issue will be brought to the notice of MLAs Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai.
