“Over the past 10 years, successive governments and local MLA have failed to give priority to the city. Be it garbage, parking or cleaning St Inez creek, everything was neglected. Local MLA and corporators, for their petty politics, ruined the city. It completely stands neglected till date. I accept that with no powers in hand, the Mayor and corporators were helpless to get any work done in the city or in their respective wards. All powers lied with the Commissioner and we have to beg before him for everything. I guess it’s high time that we go back to Panjim Municipal Council; we will not have to depend on the local MLA for development. I am of the strong view that casinos have to be shifted out of River Mandovi. Casino culture is not for the people of Goa. BJP has to fulfill its promise (of shifting out the casinos).
The ego clashes between the people, who ruled the city, haunted the city’s development. Nobody wanted to keep aside their ego and work for city. There was need that people keep aside their ego and come on one table and discuss but that never happened. But personally speaking, as a corporator I have got many works done with the help of the local MLA and former Chief Minister. I don’t know where the problem lies with. Also the corporation was left with no powers, as all powers lie with the Commissioner. CCP managed to get funds under JNNURM for various projects, but due to lack of technical know-how we had to shift the projects to GSIDC, which has shown no interest in the mplementation of projects. As far as granting permissions to offshore casinos are concerned, CCP has no role to play. But, I was the first corporator, who openly objected to casino operations in River Mandovi. Today the main focus of Panjim voters has to be to demand 24×7 water supply, good roads, proper parking facilities, cleanliness, etc.
There is no willingness. The political leaders and corporators lack vision for development. Everyone –the MLA, Mayor, Commissioner want to seek credit for development. There are ego clashes. Government has failed to draft short term and long term development plan for the city. The issues such as garbage, parking, are haunting city for past over one decade.
The CCP Act needs amendment. It has given all powers to the Commissioner and the Mayor is at the mercy of the Commissioner. This should not be the case. The talk of government that casinos bring in revenue and provide employment is all fake. This is just an excuse not to fulfill its promise and shift out the casinos from River Mandovi.
