CM needs to step in and let Panjim function
Tur toothbrush may harbour inhe complete freezing of relations between the Panjim Mayor Surendra Furtado and his Commissioner Sanjith Rodrigues, is turning into an absolute farce. But even farce has an element of mirth. Here there is none because no one can be smiling when our beautiful city is held to ransom with executive decisions stalled due the Commissioner’s absence from the office and a total breakdown of communication though their offices are literally two steps apart facing each other.
While the Herald has supported Mayor Surendra Furtado’s position that the elected body is supreme and any decision on a major work like a 72 crore beautification project which includes road concretization, needs the councils’ approval, this has become an issue of the Chief Minister, though Rodrigues wanting absolute control over all affairs of the city.
The Chief Minister cannot step back and take sides on this. His position does not allow him to. Protecting the sanctity of institutions and within them the sanctity of democratically elected positions, to quote Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is his “raaj dharma”. The loss of power and control over the Corporation of the city he rules to a panel led by Taleigao MLA Babush Monseratte , still does rankle. But as Chief Minister he still controls the purse strings of monies to be released from the state but more importantly those coming from the center like the JNNURM funds. That invariably puts him in a position of control. But the art of stepping back and allowing institutions to function actually enhances his stature.
Right now though, the people of Panjim are not really interested in who wins or loses. The monsoons will be on them soon and drainage works are not complete. The sewage system too needs augmentation and the absolute eyesore which will be filed with muck when the rains arrive will be the St Inez creek.
Panjim though isn’t the only corporation which needs serious repair. Vasco and increasingly Margao are creaking civic bodies having lost control over their creaking cities. But Panjim gets more attention because it’s not just Goas capital but actually one of the most picturesque towns in the world, which draws tourists. Which is why it cannot be held hostage to personality clashes of this kind.
The big ask is could this have been handled better. The short answer is yes. Even though Furtado is not at fault, he could have called Commissioner Rodrigues over for a cup of tea. That done, the commissioner s non-response or arrogance, which has been on display would have shown up. The Chief Minister, by keeping a distance, watching this sham show going on has displayed lack of pro-active leadership. His urban development minister, the completely ineffectual Francis D Souza has no inclination, ability or even time from his frequent flying missions; to step in and take charge.
