Margao locals urge action against civic body

MARGAO: A group of citizen activists from Margao has urged the South Goa District Collector to take action against the Chief Officer of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) for disobeying the directives of the District’s Disaster Management Cell.The citizens were referring to the controversial showroom in Margao in premises that were declared unsafe by the MMC, which was inaugurated by the local MLA Digamber Kamat along with MMC Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar.

Former MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho alleged that the local leaders first promote certain type of activities and when there is some calamity, they turn the tables and try to project themselves as innocent. Coutinho accused the MMC CO of deliberately acting slow on the issue. “The very fact that the District Collector’s order, (which incidentally happens to be the office of the Disaster Management Cell), is disobeyed by the Chief Officer, is enough evidence to prove who is behind the inaction against the showroom located in the unsafe building,” said Coutinho

Coutinho alleged that the MMC technical section’s opinion of sealing the premises was overruled by the CO, who felt it appropriate to issue a show cause notice for cancellation of the trade license instead. “A hearing fixed on December 14 was also postponed without any further decision,” Coutinho added. “We demand that the District Collector haul up the Chief Officer of MMC for disobeying the directives of the Disaster management cell,” said Coutinho.