The raging row over the Margao Municipal Council’s (MMC) decision to purchase the swanky Toyota Innova vehicle has brought to the fore a moot question – whether the government take a relook at the age old exercise to condemn vehicles or opt for the auto dealers’ attractive buy-back offers.
the goan I network
MARGAO
Exchange offers by auto manufacturers and dealers have become the latest trend in vehicle buying as against the old age practice of ‘condemning’ vehicles after a specified mileage. When the MMC settled for the Toyota Innova vehicle, the civic body ostensibly opted for the cash buy facility offered by the company though the government rules mandates condemning of vehicles after the wear and tear.
This pertinent question has now become the subject of debate and is now on the scanner of the government with the Director of Municipal Administration, Elvis Gomes saying that he is seeking the opinion of the concerned officials how to go about the issue. “Condemning vehicles has been a time tested exercise guiding the disposal of old and worn out vehicles. But, at the same time, exchange offers or buy back facilities is now the latest trend. We have to take a decision taking into account the changing times,”
Elvis said.
Replying to a question, Elvis said he is seized with the question of the buy-back arrangement and is preparing the note for the consideration of the government.
The MMC had gone for the Innova Toyota vehicle after the company reportedly offered around Rs 4.5 lakh exchange for the existing official car of the chairperson.
“The municipality had gone for the new Innova car after the company offered the civic body the attractive buy-back facility. The previous MMC chairperson’s vehicle is still lying in the Municipal garage, rusting and corroding,” informed a civic official.
No govt permission needed to return
Innova, Elvis tells MMC
MARGAO: In an interesting development, the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA), Elvis Gomes has told the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) that the civic body need not take permission of the government to return the Innova Toyota vehicle to the company, but cautioned that any such transaction does not cause any loss to the civic body.
A day after the MMC Chief Officer YB Tawde sought permission from the DMA’s office to return back the vehicle, a week after Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai decided not to use the official vehicle, the DMA replied back saying the civic body does not need the government permission.
Elvis, however, made is quite clear to the Municipality that the decision to return the vehicle should not cause loss to the civic body. “If the MMC has taken a decision to return the car to Toyota, they need not take our permission. The only thing is that any such decision should not cause any loss to the civic body,” he said.
The issue over the purchase of the brand new car will figure in the MMC meeting scheduled later this week.
