In a stern move to recover long-pending dues, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) in Vasco took decisive action on Thursday by sealing the premises of two prominent banks. The council sealed a branch of a private bank located in the town and a branch of a public sector bank situated at Mangor Hill for their failure to clear outstanding rent payments.
The Crackdown on Defaulters
MMC Chairperson Girish Borkar confirmed the action, stating that the private bank had an outstanding rent of Rs 6 lakh, while the public sector bank owed Rs 3 lakh. The recovery drive was personally led by MMC Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, who was accompanied by municipal engineers and inspectors during the sealing operation.
Borkar expressed frustration over the defaulters' negligence. "MMC has resolved to take strict action against its defaulters. Despite issuing repeated notices, the owners of the premises have turned a blind eye," he told the media. He further revealed that the list of defaulters is not limited to these banks but includes several other establishments, including state and central government offices.
The 'Gandhian' Path to Recovery
In a unique twist to the recovery drive, the MMC has decided to blend firm action with a symbolic, peaceful appeal inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's ideology. Alongside the sealing, council officials have initiated a novel technique. Chairperson Girish Borkar and Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik have started offering roses to the heads of establishments that owe money, appealing to them to clear their dues.
Explaining this approach, Chief Officer Naik said, "After repeated notices, heads of establishments have failed to pay the long outstanding dues. We had launched a unique technique based on the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi by offering a rose, which will definitely make the owners or heads of establishments pay the dues. Better sense will prevail."
Naik cited his past success with this method from his tenure as Margao chief officer, where "roses of Rs 50 helped recover Rs 50 lakh" in outstanding payments. He expressed confidence that the same concept, launched in Vasco in consultation with the chairperson, would help the council recover its long-pending dues.
Broader Implications and Future Steps
The recovered funds are crucial for the municipality's functioning. Borkar emphasized that the outstanding amount, once collected, will help disburse the salaries of municipal employees in time. The council has prepared a comprehensive list of all defaulters and is determined to recover every rupee.
In another significant development, the chief officer stated that the municipal council has adopted a resolution to shift the offices of the deputy collector and the mamlatdar to municipal premises. However, he made it clear that these government offices will have to clear all their pending dues before the shifting process can begin.
This dual strategy of strict enforcement through sealing and a persuasive, symbolic appeal marks a significant step by the MMC to improve its financial health and ensure timely payment of its own obligations to staff.
