Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Oct 23: Margao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Damu Shirodkar has admitted that one of the three newly commissioned garbage compactors has developed a technical problem and is currently off the road for repairs.

Speaking to the media, Shirodkar denied allegations of corruption in the procurement process and challenged his critics to produce evidence.

“If corruption was the case, then all three compactors should have broken down. Two are functioning perfectly. I challenge anyone to prove that I took even a single rupee as chairperson,” he said.

The faulty vehicle has been sent for repairs, though officials said there is no fixed timeline for its return to service. The three compactors, costing around Rs 1.2 crore, were procured from a Pune-based firm and were introduced to address the issue of leachate from garbage trucks spilling onto the roads. The vehicles were formally inaugurated on Dusshera.

Former MMC chairperson Savio Coutinho, representing the Shadow Council, had earlier accused the civic body of purchasing substandard compactors, alleging irregularities in the procurement process.

Meanwhile, the council held a special meeting on Wednesday, during which councillor Milagrin Gomes was elected as president of the Carnival Committee. The Margao Carnival is scheduled to be held on February 15.

Acting on Shirodkar’s recommendation, the council also decided to include one member from the accounts department in the carnival committee. Additionally, a resolution was passed to procure an earth-moving machine using the council’s own funds, to be operated independently from those used at Sonsoddo.