Ask CO to forward Sopo contractor’s complaint to police; Narvekar says similar charge was brought to notice of chairperson six months ago
Three opposition backed councillors of Mapusa Municipal Council addressing the media on Tuesday. Agnelo Pereira
After the “hafta” allegation, the search is now on to identify the three Mapusa councillors who have allegedly made the obnoxious demand with the Sopo contractor.
The opposition councillors – Sudhir Kandolkar, Shashank Narvekar and Komal D’Souza – on Tuesday met Chief Officer Amitesh Shirvoikar and demanded a copy of the Sopo contractor’s complaint so that the names of the three councillors involved in the scam can come on record.
Ward 5 Councillor Narvekar said that such allegations were nothing new and it was doing the rounds some time ago.
“When I brought the issue about the demand for money in the market six months ago, it was brushed under the carpet. Now, there are allegations that three councillors are involved. Who are these councillors? Let the people of Mapusa know them. For no reason, our names are getting mired into the controversy,” Narvekar said.
As reported in The Goan, the Sopo contractor of Mapusa market, while responding to a show-cause notice issued to him, alleged that three councillors were demanding Rs 2 lakh to be paid to them as monthly hafta, failing which they would ensure that his Sopo collection contract would be terminated.
He also alleged that these councillors have allowed setting up of several bhel puri/omlet gadas all over Mapusa and were allegedly collecting haftas on monthly basis from these illegal vendors.
The opposition-backed councillors in a memorandum urged the chief officer to forward the Sopo collector’s complaint to the police so that the truth comes out.
“Due to the involvement of three councillors, we are seen with suspicion by the citizens of Mapusa as if we might be the ones who are involved in the scam. Kindly, forward the said complaint to the Mapusa Police for further investigation and necessary action,” stated the memorandum, which was signed by the three councillors.
Former chairperson and Ward 19 Councillor Kandolkar said his voters began inquiring whether he was part of the hafta collection racket as reported in The Goan.
“The names of all other councillors are getting tarnished because of three rotten apples amongst us. The names of those three councillors should be made public,” said Komal D’Souza, councillor of ward 13.
According to Narvekar, the previous Sopo contractor had defaulted and owed Rs 27 lakh to the council but even after his contract was withdrawn a year ago, the municipal council has not initiated any proceedings against him to recover the dues.
He said when serious corruption charges come to light the administration should act proactively and initiate some action.
“The CM says zero tolerance to corruption. But at the ground level, none of their people work honestly,” he said.
He said no one was ready to come forward to file complaints against illegalities as the present dispensation has created fear psychosis among the people.
