Margao: Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) meeting, on Friday, witnessed intense discussions as the issues of budget, revision of garbage tax and general administration were taken up.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, CMC chairperson Laxman Naik informed of the decisions taken, including that of reducing the garbage tax that was imposed.
“It was resolved to charge only Rs 1 per day for collection of household and commercial garbage from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 because this was the COVID period and the lockdown was in force. Also, the inflation had gone up. Because of this people have not been able to pay in time and the arrears have gone up,” he said.
He also informed that the budget, prepared by the municipal administrator and chief officer was also placed for discussion.
As for the administration, Naik said that two registers would be maintained to keep a watch on the movement of files within the municipal office.
As the meeting progressed, discussions ensued between the chairperson and councillor Udesh Naik, who was asked to leave the meeting for speaking out of turn.
“I am strict, and without permission will not allow anyone to talk. One councillor was castigating me and in order to control and out of anger was asked to keep out,” said the chairperson.
Udesh Naik, however, said, “The discussion during the meeting was not going as per the agenda that was given. Today, every councillor should be listened to. I am here because of the people in my ward. At this meeting and at the last meeting also, I was asked to leave the meeting which is wrong.”
Meanwhile, objection was raised by the local civic and consumer forum after a notice was put up requesting the public not to enter the meeting hall as it was small.
The notice signed by CMC chief officer Violet Gomes read, “Due to pandemic the public is requested not to enter meeting hall or its gallery to avoid crowd. The meeting hall of councillors is small and it cannot accommodate 20 people properly. Therefore, public is requested to bear inconvenience caused for not entering in the meeting hall.”
“After it became evident that the Cuncolim Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) representative is most likely to attend the meeting, this notice was pasted on the door. If Margao Municipal Council can hold council meetings which are open and not affected by COVID-19 why not Cuncolim council? The forum will appeal to the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) on this decision of the chief officer,” said CCCF convenor Lorna Fernandes.