SATURDAY, JULY 06, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Damodar Shirodkar, Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council, refuted all allegations against the civic body, stating that permission for the Goa Forward Party (GFP) to use the Municipal hall was granted within a 24-hour period.
Speaking to reporters, Damodar Shirodkar said that he personally signed the application on July 1, which was submitted by one of the councillors belonging to the Goa Forward Party (GFP). He further stated that the permission to use the Municipal hall was granted the next day. “The allegations by members of GFP that the civic body had denied permission or hesitated to issue permissions were totally false,” stated the Chairperson.
He explained that the application was received on Friday, and due to Saturday and Sunday being holidays, it could not be processed immediately. He also refuted the allegations of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat’s intervention in the matter, stating that there was no interference from the MLA.
“There is no reason for the civic body to deny permission to use the Municipal hall for the Janata Darbar organised by GFP. It feels disheartening when the civic body is diligently striving to advance its work. Nobody should politicise trivial matters,” said Shirodkar. He claimed that since he took charge of the civic body, no discrimination has been practiced against any councillor or citizen.
Feast fair scam: Rs 2 lakh recovered from MMC staffer, Rs 15 lakh remains
The Chairperson announced that Rs two lakh has been recovered from the MMC staffer involved in the Rs 17 lakh scam related to the feast fair revenues. “We will ensure that all the money is recovered from the clerk. He should have been arrested, but simply arresting him will not help in recovering the money,” said Shirodkar.
