VASCO: Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) unanimously resolved to keep the annual Damodar Bhajani Saptah fair open for ten days. It was also resolved to open the Swantrapath lane for traffic after seven days.
The decision was taken setting aside demands of citizens’ groups and vendors from Vasco not to extend the duration of the fair that traditionally used to remain open for seven days. Residents complain that the three days extension puts them to hardships.
It was also decided to strictly enforce rules to maintain the height of the stalls, besides keeping the road around the fair free of encroachments so emergency services vehicles can move freely. “We have decided to keep proper check on maintaining hygiene and sanitation facilities during the Saptah fair. This year we will ensure that the entrance of residential-cum-commercial buildings will be kept open and no stall will be permitted in front of the entrance and exit point of the buildings,” councillor Krishna Salkar said.
In another decision, MMC decided to rope in the services of a private bank and to launch online house tax payment facilities while normal collection of house tax would remain functional. “The online house tax payment can be done using bank credit or debit cards. It will be set up by MMC in collaboration with a private company and HDFC Bank,” MMC chairperson Lavina D’Souza said.
Councilors overruled objections by Nitin Chopdekar and constituted a five-member school committee for the Municipal High School with councillor Manish Arolkar nominated as chairman. Chopdekar threatened he would approach the court in the matter.
MMC also resolved to waive off 50 percent fees on any proposal for construction government school buildings but for private schools, it was decided to take a decision on a case-to-case basis.
The issue of rising dengue cases in Vasco attracted the attention and concern of council members who decided to write to the Vasco urban health officer to ensure that strict measures be taken to curb the menace not only in New Vaddem but also in other wards.
