06 Dec 2023  |   06:39am IST

SHOCKER: No inquiry into charges of selling applications at exorbitant rates

After confusion and chaos, then CCP Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes had assured to order an inquiry in August last year

Team Herald

PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) did not conduct inquiry into the allegation of selling forms to put up stalls for ‘Ashtami fair’ last year, at exorbitant rates, revealed information obtained under Right to Information (RTI) Act.

In August last year, the then CCP Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes had assured to order an inquiry to find out the culprits who had allegedly sold forms for ‘Ashtami fair’ at an exorbitant rates. However, no inquiry was conducted. 

“No report available as no inquiry was conducted by CCP,” the RTI information revealed. 

Though each form was priced at Rs 200, some vendors took 10 or more forms and allegedly sold them for Rs 5,000 each or even more creating confusion and chaos. These vendors not only sold forms at exorbitant rates but were also involved in extending the stall areas marked for the vendors forcing the CCP to cancel the entire allotment of spaces and to reissue the sale of forms afresh.

But RTI information has revealed that only 448 forms were sold and the fee charged to put stalls was Rs 100 per square metres total fees received and stalls were permitted for 12 days. The total amount collected was Rs 28,49,248. 

This year, 391 forms were sold and 336 were submitted to the CCP and the fees collected was over Rs 1.95 lakh.

Meanwhile, application forms to set up stalls for this year’s annual traditional fair on the occasion of feast of Immaculate Conception will be issued at the dedicated counter of HDFC Bank set up in the CCP office in the Town Hall, Panjim on December 6 and 7. The fair will be held from December 8 to 14 at promenade from ferryboat terminal point to Kala Academy, Campal.