Pratik Parab
pratik@herald-goa.com
Politics in the Margao Municipality commercial town administration is not a new phenomenon. However when this affects governance the results are not good. Politics over illegal carts and gaddas in Margao is now playing a role with 2 big political forces in Margao flexing their muscles now.
The MMC Chairperson Babita Angle had inspected the Aquem side of Railway station Margao and had expressed anger on the encroachment that flourished there.
Angered by the filthy and unethical manner in which the food stalls were being operated the MMC Chairperson She instructed the Chief Officer of MMC to not go soft on these stalls.
Subsequently the Chief Officer of Margao Johnson Fernandes issued an order to the Sanitary Department to conduct an inspection to keep a check on the encroachment in the Margao Municipal Council jurisdiction.
The sanitary Inspector Viraj Arabekar immediately started clearing encroachments of from Margao.
However with regards to Rus omelette carts in Margao, politics reared its head. The MMC Chairperson Babita Angle warned officials she would issue a memo if they failed to act. This has to seen in the light of a politician from Margao issuing a warning to employees taking action. This resulted in employees getting sandwiched between both the political centers of Margao.
One of the officials received a call from a tall politician who is now abroad. During inspections it was seen that the gadas were using domestic cylinders to cook and had no fire and health clearances. It was noticed that sewage and used water was being let into the rain water drains. The same place was being used to cook food items making it the most unhygienic place. to take action. Chairperson Babita said “Since most of these violators of gaddas are operating after MMC working hours it was necessary to issued these orders to extend the duty hours”. The action has now been initiated and it will be worthy to see how much and how quick it is followed up.
