TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Can city fathers swap their posts in respect of the statutory municipal panels by a council resolution without holding an election?
This question has come to the fore after Tuesday’s meeting of the Margao Municipal Council adopted a resolution appointing councillor Pratima Coutinho as chairperson of the market panel after Vice-Chairperson Dadi Mayenkar maintained that he is not interested in the post. That’s not all. The post of chairperson of sanitation committee held by Pratima was handed over to Mayenkar. The swapping of the two posts was completed within minutes after adopting a resolution
Chairperson Dayanand Deulkar told the media that Coutinho is now the new chairperson of the market panel He replied in the positive when questioned whether the Municipal Act allows swapping of positions, especially in relation to statutory committees. “The decision is backed by a council resolution”, Deulkar added. Coutinho also echoed similar sentiments. Sources in the know, however, contended that the Municipal Act does not permit swapping of statutory posts. “If someone is not interested in any post, he or she should resign and the vacancy is to be filled up via election”, remarked a senior official.
