TEAM HERALD
CURCHOREM: A controversy has erupted within the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) over an NOC issued to erect a mobile tower on a residential building at Carriamoddi-Curchorem.
While the local councillor claims she was not taken into confidence when the CCMC had issued the NOC, the CCMC chief officer has stated that the company had all permissions and added that the law does not mandate the approval of councillors for every work in the municipality.
At a council meeting on Thursday, Ward Councillor Jesmina Braganza raised the issue and also submitted a memorandum signed by residents of Carriamoddi opposing the mobile tower in their locality. Braganza sought to know how CCMC had granted the NOC to erect the mobile tower without taking her into confidence.
When asked, MLA Nilesh Cabral, who was present for the meeting, said he was aware of the problem and assured to look into the matter.
Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said the mandatory required documents like technical clearance order issued by the Town and Country Planning, an NOC from the electricity department and a certificate for structural design and stability of construction/erection from the concerned engineer had been submitted by the party.
“Based on documents, CCMC granted an NOC to erect the tower. No law states that it’s mandatory to seek approval from the councillors for each and every work of the municipal council. The powers are vested with the technical section and the chief officers of the municipal council,” stated Fernandes.
Meanwhile, the CCMC has approved the design and proposal submitted by consultant to build a new commercial building by demolishing the old CCMC building situated near the railway station. According to Chief Officer Fernandes, the old building was built in 1962 and 10 years back, PWD had inspected the building and certified that the building was unsafe.
