PANJIM: As announced earlier by Panjim MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserate and Mayor Uday Madkaikar, the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) has resolved not to renew the trade licences and NOCs of the offshore casinos.
The CCP ordinary meeting on Monday discussed several pending issues, including non-renewal of casino trade licenses, CCTV cameras, pay parking draft, pending power bills and CZMP amongst others.
The discussions mainly revolved around the renewal of casino licences and pending payments. It was discussed that since for the last four months casinos have not paid their taxes to CCP and are at the same time using the LED lights and boards without CCP permission, an extra charge for LED boards be made. Members also demanded an inspection of the casino boards as soon as possible.
The Commissioner asked councillors to conduct a survey and if any irregularities were found in signboards in the city, including casinos, they will be removed within seven days.
After five days of being without electricity in the Panjim market, CCP decided it will pay the dues by installments. On this issue, councilors raised the question of how CCP will pay, how public tax money can be used for one purpose and how the corporation will raise revenue?
Replying to this the Mayor said, “CCP has money and can pay the electricity due bill. This time we will pay, next time we will charge from the vendors, after the lease and license agreement in the market is done.”
He said that government offices in Panjim do not pay any tax on garbage collection, so CCP has decided to stop collecting garbage from government office beginning next month, if they do not pay taxes.
CCP also placed a ban on using plastic bags in the city. The Mayor and the commissioner asked councillors to inspect their areas and bring to the notice of CCP if any shopkeeper is giving plastic bags.
CCP also decided that it will not take up any new work in the city and works which have been completed will be inspected. It also decided not to install cameras in the city, which had earlier been planned.
On the pay parking issue, the council was informed that the pay parking draft is ready and after the tendering process, pay parking will start in the city. This will be not applicable for newly-constructed buildings, but will be applicable to those that have constructed a building, including houses, without parking.
The commissioner also discussed the Panjim CZMP, which has been kept open for the public for suggestions. He said, “If the public rejects this plan after discussions, we will return it.” He also asked councillors to go through it and make suggestions.
Many councillors raised difficulties of sewerage in the city, which is a major problem.
