Daijiworld Media Network - Vasco

Vasco, Dec 5: In a stern move to ensure recovery of long-pending dues, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday sealed the premises of one public sector bank and one private bank for failing to clear outstanding rent payments.

MMC chairperson Girish Borkar informed that the private bank’s town branch owes the council Rs 6 lakh, while the PSU bank’s Mangor Hill branch has dues amounting to Rs 3 lakh. The sealing action was carried out under the leadership of MMC chief officer Siddhivinayak Naik, supported by municipal engineers and inspectors.

“Despite repeated notices, the owners of these establishments ignored the reminders. MMC has therefore resolved to take strict action against all defaulters,” Borkar stated, adding that the recovery of dues is crucial to ensure timely salary disbursement for municipal employees.

He further revealed that several state and central government offices are also yet to clear their dues, and a comprehensive list of defaulters has been prepared for action.

In a unique approach inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology, MMC has also launched a ‘Gandhian method’ to nudge establishments towards payment — by offering roses to their representatives as a gentle reminder. “We believe this symbolic gesture will make them realise their responsibility,” Borkar noted.

Chief Officer Naik shared that he had successfully applied this method earlier in Margao, where “roses worth Rs 50 helped recover Rs 50 lakh”. He expressed confidence that the initiative in Vasco would yield similar results.

Naik also pointed out that MMC has passed a resolution to shift the offices of the deputy collector and mamlatdar to the municipal premises — but only after they clear their outstanding dues.

As the recovery drive intensifies, MMC asserts that non-payment will no longer be tolerated, and more establishments could face action in the coming days.