MMC Chairperson assures resolutions to majority of issues discussed
Councillors debating on issues during the ordinary council meeting of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday. Photo by Vikram Nayak
THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) convened its ordinary council meeting on Thursday afternoon, addressing a range of important issues affecting its jurisdiction.
Key topics included the long-pending rent disputes, development plans for the chicken and mutton market, Geographic Information (GI) mapping of houses, regularisation of staff, and the transformation of the new fish market into a green building.
Despite the absence of 14 councillors, MMC Chairperson Girish Borker and Chief Officer Deepesh Priolkar assured that a majority of issues discussed would soon see resolutions.
RESOLVING RENT DISPUTES
Addressing the media after the meeting, Chairperson Girish Borker highlighted that one of the most pressing matters was the long-pending rent issue.
"We have several original lessees who were paying minimal rent, and the MMC later raised their rent. As the hiked amount wasn’t paid, interest was applied, worsening the situation," Borker explained.
"Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar had taken up this issue even during his tenure as a councillor and has raised it in the assembly after becoming an MLA. We have now decided to settle this by reducing the interest and having a joint meeting with over a hundred lessees to finalise the amount, bringing an amicable resolution to this long-standing issue,” said Borker.
MUTTON, CHICKEN MARKET
Borker also announced plans for the development of a new and dedicated mutton/chicken market funded by the council.
"We want to have a dedicated market for meat and keep it separate from the present vegetables and fruit market. We have space and we have decided to build this market with municipal funds. MLA Krishna Salkar has assured that additional funds will be provided if we fall short. We also have another market project that initially received Rs 1 crore in funding, but the estimates have now gone up to Rs 1.81 crore. We will allot the extra Rs 81 lakh from municipal funds," added Borker.
OPENING OF SADA MARKET
Speaking on staff issues and new market projects, Borker confirmed that the newly constructed Sada Market would be operational soon.
"Electricity and water bills for the new Sada Market market complex, which amounted to around Rs 80 lakh, have been paid. The PWD has agreed to install new meters for the complex, and many of the shops have already been tendered. We expect the Sada Market complex to open in the next few months," he said.
CONCERNS OVER STAFF DEMOTION
Councillor Deepak Naik raised concerns about the demotion of a senior staff member, calling it a "bad precedent."
"We had a female staff member who was promoted to head clerk from her previous position as UDC (Upper Division Clerk) around eight years ago on an ad-hoc basis,” said Naik.
“However, she has now been moved back to a lower position, despite her pay scale being maintained. This feels like a demotion, and it isn’t right. We are a ‘Class A’ municipality and we only have one head clerk while other A-class municipalities have three. The Chairperson must take up this issue and ensure the post is revived."
GREEN INITIATIVE FOR FISH MARKET
Councillor Shami Salkar discussed the council’s initiative to convert the newly constructed Vasco Fish Market into a green building.
"During an inspection of the Vasco Fish Market, we proposed to GSUDA officials that we could install a bio-digester and a solar roof. They agreed and confirmed that provisions for these facilities are available. We decided that we will move a resolution to implement this, so that it can be made into one of the first green buildings in Vasco. This will address issues related to power supply and waste management," Salkar said.
