Administrators appointed to 6 civic bodies as term ends

NT Reporter

Margao/Panaji

Even as the state election commission has approved a proposal to hold elections to 11 municipal councils in the state in May, Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) Brijesh Manerkar on Tuesday issued an order appointing administrators to six municipal councils – Bicholim, Curchorem-Cacora, Canacona, Cuncolim, Valpoi and Pernem – as their five-year terms come
to an end.

“General elections to the six municipal councils – Bicholim, Curchorem-Cacora, Canacona, Cuncolim, Valpoi and Pernem – scheduled for March 2026 have been postponed. The term of the above-mentioned municipal councils is expiring between March 31 and April 8. In view of the upcoming elections and the expiration of the councils’ terms, the government has appointed administrators to manage the affairs of the respective municipalities,” the order stated.

Akshay Potekar, Director (Administration), Office of the Director General of Police, has been appointed as administrator of Bicholim Municipal Council, while Sagar Gaude, MD, Goa Education Development Corporation, has been appointed as administrator of Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council.

Shankar Gaonkar, Member Secretary, Kala Academy, has been appointed as administrator of Canacona Municipal Council and Shrikant Pednekar, Assistant Commissioner of Excise-I, has been appointed as administrator of Pernem Municipal Council, all
effective from April 1.

Vikas Kamble, CEO, South Goa Zilla Panchayat, has been appointed as administrator of Cuncolim Municipal Council with effect from April 6, while Raju Dessai, Forest Settlement Officer (North), has been appointed as administrator of Valpoi Municipal Council with effect
from April 9.

The appointed administrators will take charge on their respective dates and submit compliance as per the government’s directive, the order stated.