PANJIM: BJP-backed opposition corporators on Tuesday petitioned Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Commissioner Deepak Desai demanding that the council meeting held on December 15 be declared null and void as it was held in violation of the ‘Conduct of Business’ rules.
The meeting had witnessed a major storm after the ruling panel declined to approve the Panjim Outline Development plan (ODP) and works under AMRUT scheme for 2017-18. This was objected to by the BJP backed councillors, who boycotted the meeting after a verbal spat between the two groups.
Opposition corporators, led by former mayors Shubham Chodankar and Vaidehi Naik, on Tuesday morning gheraoed the Commissioner with their demand and seeking a fresh meeting to discuss the agenda. They alleged the December 15 meeting was held in the absence of the opposition and Commissioner which is in violation of the ‘Conduct of Business’ of the House.
“As per the rule, when the Commissioner is not present for the meeting, the discussion whichever /whatever takes place becomes null and void, as the corporators cannot have meeting without Commissioner,” the petition states. A copy of the petition has been forwarded to Directorate of Municipal Administration.
Desai had left the meeting halfway as he had to catch a flight. “As the Commissioner left the meeting, we had requested the Mayor to cancel the meeting and postpone it but he was adamant,” they said alleging that the Mayor wanted to pass the agenda.
“In the absence of opposition and Commissioner, the ruling benches passed the agenda in violation of the business of the House,” they added.
The opposition also pointed out that the meeting notice was served to them just five days in advance, while a few items were placed on the agenda on the very day giving them no time to study.