Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) witnessed heated discussions during its recent meeting, with councilors expressing strong displeasure over the delay in cleaning drainages and roadside gutters ahead of the monsoon. The lack of compliance with scheduled pre-monsoon works sparked criticism from several members, who claimed that waterlogging incidents were already being reported in many areas due to uncleaned gutters.
In a significant move, the council unanimously resolved to disconnect electricity and water connections to households that have persistently failed to pay their house taxes. According to the council, out of approximately 5,000 registered houses in the municipality, only 30% are regularly paying house taxes. A staggering 70% have been in arrears for over five years, despite repeated notices.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, it was revealed that seven surveys had been conducted to propose a modest annual increase of Rs. 100 in house rent for certain properties. However, the proposed hike is yet to be implemented. The council passed a resolution urging immediate administrative action to recover dues and penalize defaulters by cutting off basic services.
The council also took up the issue of seasonal shacks and stalls. While the current season saw a rise in revenue—with 109 shacks contributing over ₹1.25 crore—allegations surfaced that several operators had defrauded the municipality by not paying mandatory fees. The council decided to issue notices to these defaulters and recover outstanding dues.
Councilors also demanded that door-to-door garbage bins be provided in every ward. Ramakant Naik Gaunkar, Laxuman Pagi, and Hemant Naik Gaonkar stated they had taken it upon themselves to supply garbage bins in their respective wards, citing the lack of initiative from the administration.
Chairperson Sara Shamba Naik Desai later briefed the media, stating that key issues discussed included garbage collection, regularization of houses, developmental works, and cleaning of gutters and drainages. She highlighted that the contract for door-to-door garbage collection had expired, and the newly issued tender was canceled. “We have instructed the Municipal Engineer to restart the tendering process, but if delays continue, we may have to extend the old contract, which we are reluctant to do,” she said.
Chairperson Naik Desai further revealed that a proposal to procure 5,000 dustbins and trolley bins had been pending for over a year due to bureaucratic delays. “The current bins used for door-to-door and hotel collections are broken and unusable. We plan to purchase 240-litre bins with wheels,” she added.
Councilor Hemant Naik Gaunkar also raised concerns over misplaced roadside slabs in Nagarcem, warning they could damage vehicles taking reverse.
The meeting was chaired by Chairperson Naik Desai and attended by Chief Officer Laxmikant Desai, Municipal Engineer Dilkhush Gaonkar, and Accounts Officers Smita and Namrata Desai. Councilors Gandesh Madgaonkar, Neetu Desai, Supriya Desai, Shubham Komarpant, Narcisco (Nadin) Fernandes, Simon Rebello, Ramakant Naik Gaunkar, and Laxuman Pagi were also present.
