MARGAO: Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai has reportedly assured Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudessai and Vice Chairperson Tito Cardoso that he shall try and get a fulltime chief officer to the municipality.
Ever since Y B Tavade retired in May this year, MMC is without a fulltime chief officer and is being served by officers given additional charge. Initially Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer Deepali Naik was given charge; later, South Goa Additional Collector Agnelo Fernandes was given additional charge.
Since taking over, Agnelo has been trying to visit the MMC every evening but due to some exigencies whenever he cannot make it, files are taken from the municipal council to the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex where he disposes off all the files.
In fact, he has earned much respect and admiration for the manner in which he does not keep any file or paper work pending.
However, what is causing a problem is the fact that the chief officer is not there for the councilors and people who come with their grievances. Although Agnelo handles all the case hearings and only on some occasions people are given a fresh date because he is not available.
Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudessai who used to earlier come to the municipal building only in the afternoon after finishing her work at her clinic has now started coming in the evening as the chief officer is available only in the evening.
Vice Chairperson Tito Cardoso comes to the council building every morning. “I come in the morning so that people who come with their grievances can meet at least somebody and they can be guided properly,” he said.
