MARGAO: At the ordinary meeting of Margao Municipal Council uproar was witnessed over the issue of Sonsoddo dump yard, wherein several councillors charged that Sonsoddo has become a golden mine for some.
The meeting went on till 8 pm on Monday. However, Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar assured the council that the civic body is very much serious in resolving the long pending issue of Sonsoddo and results will be seen by March-April in 2023.
At the meeting, several important resolutions were passed including giving extension of contract for another six months for the existing agencies namely Green Globe Self Help Group and Bapu Environment Services for door to door garbage collection in all 25 wards of the council.
A group of councillors namely Sagun Naik, Puja Naik, Johny Crasto and few others took on task one of the municipal engineers for just signing a one-month agreement when one of the agencies offered to handle the garbage issue free of cost.
“The civic body should have at least given six-month time period to check the capability of the concerned agency. Signing a one-month agreement is like a joke, when the council had to invest zero,” claimed Councillor Sagun Naik.
He, besides Pooja Naik and few other councillors also questioned the concerned engineer for keeping the council in dark over the issue.
However, the engineer clarified that the decision pertaining to signing only a one-month agreement was taken after consulting the Chief Officer, Goa Waste Management and Acting Chairperson.
Few councillors also alleged that the Sonsoddo has become a golden mine for some and decisions are taken in that regard.
Later, Chairperson Shirodkar informed the council that he is personally monitoring the functioning and keeping regular track on the Sonsoddo issue.
“Positive results will be seen by March-April in 2023,” he assured.
The meeting witnessed lengthy discussion on the issue pertaining to extension of contract to two agencies engaged in door to door garbage collection, wherein Chairperson explained to the council that both these agencies are now eligible for the tender.
Councillor Ghanashyam Shirodkar raised a few questions on the issue and later it was resolved to give a six months extension to the concerned agencies.
Interestingly, at the meeting, concerned officers appointed for recovery clarified that the outstanding dues of taxes is nearly Rs 19 crore and not more than Rs 30 crore as claimed by few.
He informed the council that the outstanding dues was Rs 20.97 crore when he took charge in January 2022 and after the recovery for the last several months it is now nearly Rs 19 crore.
However, later Councillor Ghanashyam demanded white paper on the pending dues.
The chairperson brought to the notice of the council that 116 posts have been lapsed and decided to surrender nearly 26 posts, however, in replacement to the surrendered posts 15 LDC posts will be filled with the State government’s permission.
