MAPUSA: The Mapusa Municipal Council has discussed a proposal that holidays be declared in the town for Milagres feast and Bodgeshwar zatra.
The proposal was made at the ordinary council meeting held on Thursday. Other proposals discussed at the council meeting include installing a new bronze status of Shivaji Maharaj and beautifying the road between Gandhi Chowk and Hutatma Chowk.
The other topics listed in the agenda of the meeting included the financial approval for payment of bills, decision regarding utilization of 14th Finance Funds and any other matter with the permission of the chair.
The meeting commenced with the Chairperson Ryan Braganza reading out the minutes of the previous meeting. He suggested to the councillors that a proposal has been received from the Rotary Club of Mapusa over the installation of a new statue of Shivaji Maharaj near the Hutatma Chowk. He informed the councillors that a 12-feet tall bronze statue costing around Rs 40 lakh would be donated by the Rotary Club and maintained by MMC.
In reaction to this the Councillor, Sandeep Falari suggested that the photographs of the model of the statue be shown to the councillors before going ahead with the proposal to install the statue.
The chairperson agreed to adhere to all the suggestions put forth by the councillors before going ahead with the decision.
Discussions regarding the utilization of 14th Finance Commission funds were also taken up at the meeting. The chairperson informed the councillors that the civic body has received Rs 168 crore as funds under the 14th Finance Commission.
Vice Chairperson Marlene D’Souza suggested that the councillors take this opportunity and take up the works under the 14th Finance Commission.
Former chairperson Rohan Kavlekar suggested that the funds received under the 14th Finance Commission could be utilised for making the town open defecation free by constructing toilets.
The chairperson said that a committee would be formed to discuss on the issue of installing bio-toilets in Mapusa.
The financial approval of the payment of bills of the contractors witnessed discussions from as few councillors suggested that new contactors should be entertained for undertaking the works and the old ones dismissed. Councillor, Madhumita Narvekar told the council there was a need to check the performance report of the contractors.
“Before blacklisting them let us know their performance report,” Madhumita said.
There was also proposal to purchase a vehicle for the chairperson costing around Rs 13.33 lakh which came up at the meeting.
