With election code in force, MMC knocks door of govt for permission from EC to tender works

MARGAO

With the Model Code of Conduct in force, the Margao Municipal Council has knocked the doors of the government to seek permission from the Election Commission to tender work on the covering of the Sonsodo dump yard and to take up desilting works ahead of the monsoons.

Work on the covering of the Sonsodo dump yard should be complete in all respects well ahead of the onset of monsoon. 

So also the desilting and cleaning of drains in all the 25 municipal wards, work on which is required to be completed before monsoons.

Chief Officer Sidhivinayak Naik told the media that while the Municipality had tendered the drain desilting works and had issued the work order, actual work cannot commence since the Model Code of Conduct has come into force. 

“The civic body had issued the work orders for the desilting works before the Model Code of Conduct came into force. But, since these works are required to be completed before the onset of monsoons, we have now sought the permission of the Election Commission to execute the works on priority basis,” he said.

MMC Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai pointed out that the Municipality cannot wait till the Election Commission lifts the Model Code of Conduct after May 23 when the election results will be out. For, works such as covering of the Sonsodo dump yard, which is carried out annually as per the High Court directions, as well as the desilting works should be carried out and completed well before monsoons,” she said.

The Chief Officer pointed out that the civic body has asked for technical sanction from the PWD to float the tender for the covering of the Sonsodo dump yard. 

“This is an annual exercise the civic body has been undertaking for the last several years as per the High Court directions to stop the flow of leachate from the dump into the water bodies,” the Chief Officer said, while exuding confidence that the Election Commission will grant permission for the civic body to take up these works.

Both the Chairperson and the Chief Officer further informed that the civic body has also sought permission from the Election Commission to dispose of the scrap and waste dumped in the iconic Municipal garden. 

“The scrap and waste dumped in the municipal garden has been an eyesore. We have to float tenders inviting prospective bidders to lift away the scrap. However, since the Model Code of Conduct has come into force, tendering of works has come to a halt,” Babita said, while expressing confidence that the permissions sought by the civic body will find favour with the Election Commission.