Goa mulls amendment to municipal act

The Goa government today said it would amend the existing Municipal Act under which councillors and corporators who fail to submit their annual returns before Lokayukta might be disqualified.

This announcement was made by Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza, days after the Goa Lokayukta made public names of those elected representatives who did not furnish their annual returns before the anti-corruption ombudsman.

"The Goa Municipalities Act, enacted in year 1968, would be completely overhauled with the necessary amendments," he said.

D'Souza said the government has come across complaints that some corporators or councillors fail to submit their annual returns before Lokayukta.

"Through the proposed amendment, we will ensure that such an act of not furnishing the information to Lokayukta may invite them disqualification," he said.

Goa Lokayukta Justice (Retd) P K Misra had made public names of the elected representatives, including Panchayat and municipality members, who had not submitted the details of annual returns.

D'Souza said the amended act would be placed on the floor of the House during upcoming monsoon session scheduled to be held from July 19 to August 3.

"The (amendment) Bill would be referred to House committee which will invite suggestions on it before passing it during the next assembly session," the minister said.

The minister said the urban development department had sought suggestions from all the 13 municipal bodies as prelude to the amendment of the act but except one, none of the bodies responded with the feedback.