Team Herald
MARGAO: Amidst increasing arrears, a stalled process of garbage collection, rampant encroachments, and novice councillors, Siddhivinayak Naik took over as Chief Officer of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Monday.
On Saturday, an order transferring and promoting around 18 officers was drawn. The previous CO Yeshwant Tawde was amongst those transferred.
Incidentally, the order of his transfer came while he is on leave for his daughter’s wedding. He has been transferred as an Additional Collector 2 of the South Goa Collectorate.
Meanwhile, Siddhivinayak has held posts in the finance, home, and animal husbandry departments and has also been the member secretary of the Women’s Commission. This is the first time he has taken over the post of a municipal chief officer.
“The government has entrusted me with this responsibility and I will work with dedication,” said Siddhivinayak, adding, “Although I have a lot of experience, the MMC will be a challenge. However, the feat is only possible with cooperation from the local MLAs, councillors and people of Margao.”
Soon after taking charge, he held a meeting with accounts officer Damodar Yelekar, municipal engineer Gaonkar and other officers.
He has also hit his first roadblock as the Directorate of Municipal Administration has denied funding for outsourcing garbage collection in Margao. Incidentally, the MMC has questioned why the high-powered committee meeting had not cleared this matter when the decision to outsource garbage collection was taken.
