Naik resigns as SMC chief, blames urban development minister

KERIi: Chairperson of Sanquelim, Virdi and Harvalem municipal council (SMC) Anand Gopi Naik resigned on December 26 claiming "non-cooperation by urban development minister Joaquim Alemao".
Speaking to TOI, Naik said, "In the last one year, every time development activities were undertaken by the council, Alemao made attempts to discourage us."
"There were four posts lying vacant in the municipality and the minister wanted persons of his choice to be appointed to the posts.This was not accepted by me," alleged Naik.
He added, "By order No. 13/Eng/2006/DMA/667 Hussain Muzawar was hired for three days and by order No. 13/Eng/ 2003/DMA/JE/Bich/52, Rajesh Phadte was hired for two days in a week to look after the sewerage treatment plant work and also to help in other developmental work. However, these officials only raised hurdles."
The urban development minister's office refuted the allegations and said that the minister did not put any sort of pressure on Naik.
Vice-chairperson of the council Brahmanand Desai said, "On the contrary, Alemao has always extended co-operation to developmental activities in our municipality. The garbage disposal plant has been established due to the support given by the directorate of municipal administration."
As per the agreement between the councillors, Desai will be the next chairperson of the municipality.