ROQUE DIAS | NT
MARGAO: The 36-odd staff members at the office of Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies in Margao are spending their duty hours, these days, covering files, computers and cupboards with plastic sheets to protect them from the rainwater that keeps falling through the ceiling.
Surprisingly, the government pays a whooping Rs 30,500 rent per month – Rs 1000 a day, for occupying the premises, housed in the Gomant Vidhya Niketan building, located right in the heart of the town, for the office.
Everyday, the staff members have to cover their desks, computers, cupboards, chairs and other office gadgets from getting drenched in the rainwater.
“We are working in a very pathetic condition. We had written to the government, demanding shifting of the office. But nothing has happened,” said assistant registrar A K N Desai.
The staff members were found covering the cupboards, packed with the files and other documents, as this reporter paid a visit to the office. Some others were busy arranging buckets to collect the dripping rainwater.
Senior officials were seen working holding umbrellas in one hand.
According to the officials, they were shifted into this premises in 2006, and it started leaking for the last couple of years.
“We have asked the government to provide us the space at the old collectorate building, and to carry out the remedial measures. One would be certainly pained to see the condition of this office,” said Desai, adding the staff would now meet the concerned minister and Chief Minister to apprise them of the office condition.