MMC Chairperson who has had her share of conflicts with the Chief Officer has wholeheartedly welcomed the transfer of Ajit Panchwadkar from the post of Chief Officer of the Margao Municipal Council, which was long overdue. She said that it is a blessing for the common citizens of Margao & Fatorda.
Pooja said it is not just the latest flouting of COVID-19 guidelines by Panchwadkar on his birthday that has done great harm to the image of the Council. “His entire tenure of the last 10 months has been one of non-cooperation with the elected councillors and council and intended to sabotage all public works and to paralyse the administration”.
This has only led to great hardship to the people of Margao & Fatorda in spite of the best intentions of the elected councillors to help the common citizen. Panchwadkar’s tenure saw a huge increase in the number of agents and touts frequenting the corridors of the council and who extorted citizens for haftas to get work done from the Chief Officer.
Pooja appealed to all citizens not to fall prey to any such agents and dalals now that the Chief Officer has been removed. “As Chief Officer not only was he accused in a sexual harassment case by an employee but he was also pulled up by the judiciary for attempting to interfere with the Carnival parade route against the wishes of the people and their elected representatives. I am sure his transfer will bring in a welcome change in the functioning of the MMC and will enable all elected councillors to work effectively for the people of Fatorda and Margao,” said Pooja Naik.
