Team Herald

Margao: Chief Officer of Margao Municipal Council Ajit Panchwadkar has been shunted out after facing immense criticism for his birthday celebration viral video. He has been transferred as the Director of Administration PWD. Biju Naik is the new Chief Officer of MMC.

Ruling Council led by Goa Forward and the Chief Officer Ajit Panchwadkar have been constantly at war some times cold and some times coming in the open even at Council meetings. The conflicts have been there ever since the officer took charge. The conflict reached its pinnacle when the Officer went on leave and the Chairperson was almost on her way to file a police complaint about not having handed over the keys of his office to the replacement officer.

In another incident, the Chairperson had lost her cool over her officer because he turned up late at the Council meeting. In a way, the transferring Ajit Panchwadkar to the MMC was seen as a move to control the ruling Council through the administration.

Panchwadkar has served as Chief Officer for 10 months at the MMC. His tenure and his work at the office have been in news for all kinds of reasons. This transfer will probably put an end to the conflicts and the administrative paralysis that the MMC faced for many months.

It may be recalled that Panchwadkar was seen celebrating his birthday with some Councillors, staff and some noted persons in a video that went viral lately. The act came under fire for COVID-19 guidelines violations.

Ajit will be replaced by Biju Naik who was earlier the Director of Admin at PWD.