Team Herald
VASCO: Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida on Saturday announced that the long pending rent issue between Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) and its lessees would be settled in the next three months.
Addressing a joint press conference with the MMC officials on the performance of the council in last two years, the MLA acknowledged that there was a delay in resolving the long pending rent issue. The council completed two years in office on November 5.
“It is true that despite serious efforts, the rent issue is still pending. We have set a target to settle this issue in next three months,” Almeida said.
Commenting on achievements of the Council in last two years, he said, “It was only due to stability that MMC could achieve success in the last two years. In fact, the former Chief Officer Deepali Naik was the driving force behind recovery of dues and developmental works due to which Council today has Rs 20 crore in its treasury.”
He credited Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for helping the council in recovering major outstanding dues from the oil companies, though they still have Rs 30 crores as outstanding. “We are hopeful that within the next three months, the chief minister will resolve this issue as he is constantly following up the matter with oil companies,” he said.
Almeida admitted that the signature project at the old bungalow of the chief officer got delayed as no one came forward to quote for the project on nine occasions. However, he said, the issue is now resolved and within next ten days MMC would lay foundation stone and thereafter the work would start immediately.
The MLA said that the MMC has achieved major success in solid waste management, as with 90 percent of the wards under the municipal jurisdiction are covered under door-to-door collection of garbage scheme.
He informed that Council cleared 25 percent of the total garbage dumped at the Sada garbage plant and by April-May all the remaining garbage would be cleared so that up-gradation of the plant can be taken forward.
“We want to make Vasco garbage free. Therefore, I have given target to MMC that by January 26 we should make Vasco garbage free city. All these will be done by implementing several measures like purchasing garbage trucks, compactors etc as Rs 6 crore funds which remained unused will be used,” he said.
On fish market and multilevel car parking facility, he said, “Work order for the fish market project has already been issued and by January next year we will start the work. If required, we will even use police force as some political leaders have been misguiding fishermen for political gains.”
Similarly, he said, by December a presentation would be made on the multilevel car parking project and the work would then start shortly.
MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik said that the biggest achievement of the council, in last two years, was improving the financial position of the council with Rs 20.40 crores currently in municipal treasury.
“We also resolved various pending issues like settlement of retired employees; we have cleared the pending promotion, revived lapsed post and filled 19 posts. Also 75 new posts will be filled,” he said.
—
Almeida assures to get back land leased out to a trust
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida on Saturday assured that he would ensure that the land leased out to Dev Damodar trust is returned to the Mormugao Municipal Council. “The land in the possession of Dev Damodar Trust belongs to the revenue department and it was leased out to trust for a 30-year period. It was leased out for constructing an auditorium. The lease period is going to end this December without the land having been used for an auditorium. Hence, I will demand with the government the land should be given back to the council so it can be used for public purpose,” he said.
