under which various development projects have been initiated in Panjim through Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
While the ruling panel led by Mayor Surendra Furtado resolved not to allow any works under AMRUT alleging that the civic body is being bypassed, the opposition BJP-backed panel countered the charges accusing the Mayor of being against development and trying to politicize the issue.
The matter in regard to beautification of the Azad Maidan was raised during the council meeting, wherein CCP Commissioner Deepak Dessai said that though the corporation in its last tenure had passed the resolution for execution of work through GSIDC, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the works is pending. The ruling councilors then stated that the ongoing work under the scheme is illegal and needs to be issued a stop order.
Ruling councilor Rahul Lotlikar, quoting the AMRUT mission guidelines said that the projects under the scheme have to be executed by the urban local body (ULB) and in case the ULB is unable to do so, it has to pass a resolution to award the work to an expert agency (GSIDC). “However, this council never passed any resolution of this nature. CCP has been bypassed,” he said.
This was countered by then Mayor and current corporator Shubham Chodankar who said that the Council, during his tenure had passed the resolution to implement the Smart City Mission and AMRUT scheme through GSIDC. “CCP doesn’t have experts and technical support and hence the resolution was taken,” he said adding that works under the scheme have been undertaken in different wards, mostly belonging to the ruling group.
The opposition, including Pundalik Raut Dessai, Menino D’Cruz, Rupesh Halankar and Vaidhei Naik, led the attack on the ruling panel accusing it of being against development. “If you feel, CCP has been bypassed or no permission has been taken, let us give the permission now. Why block development works,” they questioned.
The ruling panel, however, resolved not to allow any development under the AMRUT scheme.
