Team Herald
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudesai’s decision to purchase a new vehicle has stirred a hornet’s nest with many councilors questioning it considering that a similar move last year had social activists up in arms and Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai had to intervene.
Last year the council had proposed to purchase an Innova Crysta vehicle for the chairperson and social activists had objected to purchasing such a luxury vehicle for the chairperson at public cost. It was at the intervention of Vijai the proposal was dropped and Vijai had then even suggested that the chairperson use her personal vehicle for official purpose.
However, Corolla Altis, the MMC vehicle being used by the chairperson, qualifies for condemnation in November. Therefore, the council has reportedly moved a file to purchase an Innova Crysta which as per the quotation costs Rs 15,41,200 but is expected to cost a lot more as the taxes are not included and the model purchased will not be the base model as per quotation. However, as an A-Class municipality, Margao Municipal Council is entitled to purchase a vehicle worth upto only Rs 13 lakh for the chairperson. Therefore, special permission from the Directorate of Municipal Administration has been sought.
In fact, it is learnt the council had submitted all the details sought by the DMA including current status of the vehicle. Incidentally, while a vehicle qualifies for condemnation after it has travelled 1.5 lakh kilometers, the Altis has been used for only 1.23 lakh kilometers.
Even though the DMA did not respond to the permission sought by the MMC, the chairperson has reportedly assured her confidantes that the permission would be granted and asked that all preparations be done to change the vehicle.
Fatorda councillors at the meeting with Vijai Sardesai yesterday pointed out that MMC has already purchased three vehicles since the present council was elected of which one is presently being used by the chairperson and argued that there was no need to purchase another vehicle and that too way beyond the permissible budget.
It would be pertinent to point out that MMC purchased two Wagon R vehicles costing Rs 4.60 lakh each which is used by the technical section and the Ertiga vehicle costing Rs 9.16 lakh for the use by the municipal engineer.
However, as the Corolla Altis that was purchased for the chairperson has been in the garage for the last two months, the chairperson has been using the Ertiga vehicle. Incidentally, MMC also has one Maruti SX4 vehicle for the use of the chief officer.
