Digambar holds first citizens meet, addresses grievances, civic issues

Margao: Public works department (PWD) minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat on Tuesday held his first citizens’ meet at the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) hall, where he heard grievances from residents and resolved several issues on the spot.The two-hour session saw Kamat interact with citizens from Margao and other parts of Salcete. He said such meetings would be held weekly to provide immediate relief to people. “I listened to the grievances of the people and solved them on the spot. That’s the intention of my meeting with citizens, to give relief to the people,” Kamat told reporters after the meeting. He added that his presence would help ensure officials remain alert and work efficiently.Kamat announced that similar grievance sessions would be conducted every Friday at the South Goa district collectorate. During the meeting, members of the new market traders’ association raised concerns about vegetable vendors encroaching on the station road. “Encroachment on roads has to stop. I have told the chief officer to take help from the police if required to clear such encroachments,” Kamat said, adding that he had also instructed police authorities to keep the road clear until 9pm.As the only minister from Salcete in the BJP-led govt, Kamat said the initiative aims to address public grievances and issues across South Goa. MMC chairperson Damodar Shirodkar and other senior officials were also present.