PANJIM, DEC 17
The notification specifying delimitation of Corporation of City of Panjim (CCP) wards was finally out on Thursday after attempts to keep it under wraps for over a week.
It is learnt, the notification was delayed due to an attempt by three ruling corporators of CCP to influence the government to delimit certain wards to their advantage.
The delimitation has been done in reference to the rule book even as three corporators tried to exert maximum pressure to have delimitation done as per their plan.
It is reliably learnt that Deputy Mayor Yatin Parekh, corporators Uday Madkaikar and Rudresh Chodankar had a meeting with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat after they failed to arm-twist the municipal administration.
Parekh wanted Ward No 13 to be de-reserved which is held by his close buddy Prasad Amonkar, said sources. The ward has been reserved for women candidates.
Whereas Uday Madkaikar who is known to be close to Education Minister Babush Monserrate desired to shift some 400 voters that have been listed under Taleigao Panchayat to his Ward No 17.
It is learnt that the municipal administration put its foot down to these unreasonable demands and struck to old delimitation as fresh census is not out.
No major changes have been effected this time, said a government officer.
In fact, there was no ground to effect any major changes in the wards as fresh census is not yet ready even certain corporators of ruling panel were adamant that delimitation should be done as per their whims and fancies.
The government came under fire during municipal elections of eleven councils in October this year for allegedly changing delimitation of certain council to the disadvantage of its opponents.
A writ petition pertaining to alleged irregularities in delimitation is now pending before High Court.
