MARGAO: Margao Municipal Councillors on Tuesday demanded to know their rights and powers in the face of the belligerent stand of the Municipal employees that City Fathers cannot inspect illegalities or direct the staff to act in a particular manner.
After much discussion, the Council decided to approach the Director of Municipal Administration to define the powers and functions of the Councilors envisaged by the Municipalities Act.
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Tuesday’s special meeting witnessed uproar with Councillors demanding to know from the Chief Officer Sandhya Kamat on their rights and powers. Councillor Raju Naik said the City Fathers will no longer tolerate insults from the employees and insisted that the Chief Officer make clear their rights and powers.
The meeting slammed a particular Market inspector for putting hurdles in the removal of encroachments and other illegalities. Margao Municipal market committee Chairperson Pratima Coutinho, who drew flak from the Municipal employees for her role in the removal of kiosks last week, clarified that action was initiated against the illegalities in the presence of the market inspect. She pointed out that the market inspector is turning a blind eye to the encroachments and demanded action. She called for an inquiry into an allegation that a gadda owner paid Rs 50,000 as advance money to a market inspector.
Councilors demanded action against the market inspectors for their failure to discharge their duties. An instance was cited by Councilor Joseph Silva that footwear is being displayed right in front of the Santas Almas Chapel in the new market.
Pratima tabled a resolution demanding an auction of the goods seized during anti-encroachment drives.
Chairperson Arthur D’Silva later told newsmen that the Council today passed a resolution empowering market committee vice-chairperson to inspect and supervise illegalities. He said the Council will starting issuing memos on erring staff if they fail to check encroachments in their jurisdiction. “We have decided to start immediate drive against illegal gaddas operating in the city”, he warned.
