Margao: The legality and validity of the recruitment process undertaken by the Margao Municipal Council are now being questioned, as another controversy has come to the fore.
Congress leader and former Chairperson Mr. Savio Coutinho has charged that the recruitment of the Site Supervisor is illegal and in violation of the recruitment rules (RR) laid down in the Municipal Act. Mr. Coutinho recalled that when the notice inviting applications for various vacancies was published by the MMC, an objection was raised over the omission of the requirement of “knowledge of Konkani” for the post of Site Supervisor. Following his objections, the Margao Municipal Council published a corrigendum making “knowledge of Konkani” essential.
“What is shocking to note is that the corrigendum notice published neither has the date nor the outward number, thereby making this corrigendum notice invalid. And now that the last date for filing applications has ended, the entire process stands to be invalid,” Mr. Coutinho said.
The most important factor that makes the recruitment of the Site Supervisor illegal is the fact that this position must be filled by promotion and not direct recruitment, Coutinho stated, producing a copy of the recruitment rules. “The Hon’ble Supreme Court has very recently hauled up the Chief Secretary for manipulation of recruitment rules. Will the Council and the DMA still proceed with this illegal act once again?” questions the Congress leader from Margao.
Mr. Coutinho came down heavily on the Margao MLA Digamber Kamat and charged him with misusing the Margao Municipal Council to fulfill all his illegal acts. Mr. Coutinho stated that the MLA knowingly resorts to irregular and illegal acts, expecting that someone should oppose, and later put the illegal beneficiaries against those who expose or oppose his misdeeds. A similar game was played by him during the fag end of his Chief Ministership, wherein hundreds of appointment letters were issued during the model code of conduct, which were subsequently revoked, and Mr. Kamat got a chance to blame others.
Mr. Coutinho appealed to the people of Margao to realize the wrongdoings of the Margao MLA at the cost of the public exchequer. He further charged that 10 drivers were engaged by the Council on a contract basis, without a Council resolution and without considering whether all these drivers were required.
“If the Council fails to put a stop to these illegal acts, we shall be compelled to approach other forums, including the court of law,” Mr. Coutinho warned.
