VASCO: High Court on Monday disposed the plea filed by Mormugao Municipal Council’s councillor Nandadeep Raut and 12 other councillors in regards to no confidence motion which was passed at a special meeting recently.
Urban Minister Milind Naik has been given directives to dispose off the matter and pass final order in the review matter filed before him under Section 303 by Kritesh Gaonkar and Shashikant Parab by May 27 and has also directed minister to accept Nandadeep Raut as an intervening party in this review matter.
It may be recalled that councillor Kritesh Gaonkar and Shashikant Parab had earlier filed a petition with the office of urban minister to take the cognisance of this issue and had requested to scrap the decision given by the presiding officer which was irregular, illegal on the no-confidence motion.
The minister had held its hearing on May 10 at the secretariat in presence of Commissioner of City Corporation of Panaji Shashank Tripathi, and Chief Officer of MMC.
The councillors in opposition further challenged the matter in the High Court and their lawyer argued that under Section 303 of Urban development has the power to revoke any council resolution but not in the case of no-confidence motion. Whereas from the other side Gaunkar’s lawyer argued that the Section 303 is applicable to this matter and the minister has the power to change. Further arguments over the strength of the councillors passing the motion was also put forth. Court has directed Urban Development Minister Milind Naik to dispose the matter by May 27. He also said to pass final order in the review matter filed before him under Section 303.
