If one thinks that the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is not in sync with Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (GSIDC) proposed developmental works in Panjim under AMRUT MISSION – just over a mere reason of being bypassed or sidelined, then there is need to think as why the opposition is coming at this stage — when hardly three months are left for the General Elections.
Here is a crunch! As the State Assembly elections 2017 are fast approaching, the unattached MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, with an eye on Panjim constituency, is making the best possible use of City Corporation (ruled by his panel) to corner sitting MLA Sidharth Kunkolienkar. While CCP has been up in arms, GSIDC has distanced itself from the controversy. The ongoing rift between CCP and GSIDC is going to have striking impact on the city development.
Councillors Rahul Lotlikar (secretary of the political front, to be floated by Monserrate), Uday Madkaikar and Dinesh Salgaocar — the forefront leaders of the ruling Panel — are the ultimate deciding factors of the Corporation. And this has been quite evident during the past few Council meetings, including the one held last week- wherein the 17-member ruling panel resolved not to allow any developmental works in the CCP jurisdiction under AMRUT or any government schemes.
During the CCP ordinary meeting held on October 18, Lotlikar took the reins in his hand on the issue of works undertaken by GSIDC under Centrally sponsored AMRUT scheme.
Unaware of the fact that the former Council led by BJP’s Shubham Chodankar has already resolved to grant approval to GSIDC for implementation of works under AMRUT, Lotlikar, using his intellectual knowledge, questioned the legality of the works taken up by GSIDC stating ‘as per the mission guidelines, Urban Local Body has to resolve handling over works to competent agency’ and in the current situation CCP council (present) has not resolved it.
The resolution will put a halt to the ongoing projects which include refurbishment of the existing pedestrian bridge linking Central Library and the creek and beautification and upgradation of Azad Maidan Square.
Even though, Commissioner Deepak Dessai and the then Mayor Chodankar informed the House about the resolution being adopted last year, the ruling panel went ahead and resolved not to allow developmental works under AMRUT as it is illegal.
“As the elections are set to approach soon, their leader (Monserrate) has asked them to halt all the developmental works. CCP is being used for political gains. The ruling panel need to understand that development should not be hampered for political selfishness,” Chodankar reacted explaining that the works undertaken this year were approved by CCP during his tenure.
When asked, Mayor Surendra Furtado said that the agencies like GSIDC and State government has taken CCP for granted. “AMRUT mission should have come to us for implementation. We are not here to clean gutters and lift garbage only,” he said.
However, when asked whether the entire anti-GSIDC movement is political motivated, Furtado refused to comment.
On the other hand, GSIDC vice chairman and Panjim MLA Siddarth and St Cruz MLA Monserrate both also remained unavailable for comments.
