PANJIM, DEC 30
Rumblings have begun once again over allotment of space on the new platform at the Panjim market complex with allegations that the City Corporation has faked a couple of names on its list during the allotment process held on Monday.
Sources told this paper that some of the allotments have allegedly been made to persons who are not eligible and under fictitious names.
In fact during the allotment by draw of lots on Monday, the opposition faction of the corporation raised a hue and cry expressing dissatisfaction over the entire process.
It was interesting to note that the entire process of allotment by draw of lots was carried out during the CCP meeting on Monday which was thoroughly dominated by two corporators from the ruling faction raising suspicion and doubts on whether the exercise was stage managed and far from transparent.
Even more interesting, the 64 vendors who were allocated space on the new platform did not produce any identification at the time of draw of lots.
Questions have come to the fore on whether the CCP Mayor Tony Rodrigues who is the chairman of the market committee has been taken for a ride by members of his own ruling faction.
It appears that things are not going to get any better for the CCP in the New Year with the process likely to commence shortly for allotment of space for 88 kiosks on the first floor of the two phases in the city market complex.
It is feared that this process would also be allegedly manipulated where genuine Goan kiosk operators would get a raw deal.
At a meeting held on Tuesday, the CCP has approved for rehabilitating 88 kiosks in the market complex following high court directives.
Mayor Tony Rodrigues said, ‘We will try and complete the same by the first week of January.’
While the exercise to shift kiosks to the new market complex is proposed to decongest the city, the CCP seems to have turned a blind eye to equally crucial issues of encroachments on pavements, footpaths by paan wallas, cobblers, unauthorised hawkers, fruit gaddas, beggars and more.
