Team Herald
MARGAO: Taking a no-nonsense approach when it comes to running the affairs of the civic body, Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar announced that the recently formed teams of tax recovery officials have collected Rs 17 lakh in just
five days, and such efforts would continue in the months to come.
While addressing media persons after the special council meeting on Friday, Shirodkar remarked that
he would henceforth
only speak about tasks
completed.
He said he has streamlined the functioning of the administration and had recently called for a meeting with all section heads.
Regarding tax recovery, he said there are three Municipal Inspectors (MIs) who are always working on rotation, and at any given time, one MI would be stationed at the MMC office. This is in addition to the tax recovery officer’s team that has already been contacting tax payers based abroad.
He added that he was aware of the hardships traders had faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, and so, they are not going to be too aggressive. Instead, we will ask those who have outstanding payments to clear them as and when they are able to. However, the Chairperson noted that 40 percent of the market vendors don’t have valid trade licences and added that action is being taken against them.
He also asserted that the perception that MMC is yet to recover Rs 35-40 crores is incorrect, but only after studying the accounts files, he would be able to furnish the exact figure of dues owed to the municipality.
“We are also looking to see that our house (the municipality) is in order before we talk about taking action against others,” said Shirodkar. He gave the example of how he has been personally monitoring the work of staff both at the building and outside, such as the MMC garage, or those who are undertaking grass cutting activities. He emphasised that he is keeping a check on workers’ punctuality.
He added that salaries for the entire daily wage workforce come up to Rs 38 lakh and so, it is important to see that they are doing the
work properly.
Shirodkar added that the issue of non-functioning utility machines would be
addressed soon.
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Committees constituted to preside over various tasks of the Municipality
MARGAO: Various committees were formed at the special meeting of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday. Six members of the Standing Committee were elected while the application form of councillor Vitorino Travasso was rejected due to a technical fault. It was revealed that the fault also lies with how the names of the councillors are listed on the MMC board and the Chief Officer was directed to make the necessary corrections.
Four members were elected to Subject Committee (A), which is the market, garden and library committee. Councillor Damodar Varak withdrew his name so that there would be no conflicts. The sanitation and garbage committee was also elected and MMC Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar backed councillor Camilo Barretto to head this committee. Shirodkar added that he would involve all councillors from the opposition group in the committees as well.
