TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: It was another day of ruckus at the Margao Municipality when the special meeting called on Tuesday saw papers being flung by a councillor. For the first time, the meeting also drew non governmental organizations and individuals from Margao who actively criticized the chairman and the councillors for their alleged incompetencies during the meeting. The situation took a turn for the worse when councilor Pratima Coutinho tried to put forward a point and was rudely stopped by Chairperson Arthur D’Silva.
The special meet started at 11:30 am with the councillors discussing and cursing the chief officer for his absence and staff reshuffle. This went on for almost 45 minutes. The council discussed the issue of monsoon preparedness and the garbage collection problems. An impulsive Sadanand Naik had already raised temperatures by arguing with almost all the councillors on various issues. Sadanand Naik, Raju Naik, Avinash Shirodkar and Pratima Coutinho voice their dissent over the pending salaries and wages of the women and men collecting garbage. The chairperson is on his feet and asks all to sit and assures to release salaries soon. Another point in the agenda points out to the non-payment of dues of the contractors who haven’t been paid for a while. The high pitch discussions turn into heated arguments.
The last point in the agenda is regarding painting, maintenance and fitting air conditioners in the central hall and some staff rooms. This raises temperatures to a boiling point. The people’s pressure is mounting; the media is watching and now a couple of councillors begin to speak against the buying of air conditioners.
Coutinho says, “We need money for development, not for air conditioners and luxuries of the council and staff. Salaries need to be paid first and that has to be the priority.”
A little hesitant at first, councillors do join in and start pushing the demand of salaries first.
D’Silva reacts sharply to Coutinho, angrily imposes on her to sit down and stay quiet, and here’s where the breaking point comes.
Pratima picks up some papers and walks to the center of the gathering crumbles the agenda and council meeting papers and flings them towards the chair and walks away. The people cheer her. Sadanand Naik also attempts a walk out but is stopped by the people. Pratima says “Three fourth of the councillors didn’t get the notice of the meeting, and my action of walking out is the result of the arrogance of Chairperson Arthur D’Silva.”
