PANJIM: Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has finally decided to allot a single parking pass per house number to families who don’t have any place to park their vehicles.
While addressing media persons after the CCP’s council meeting, Panjim Mayor Rohit Monserrate steered clear that shopkeepers, rentals and residential buildings that have in-built parking facilities won’t get such passes.
Acknowledging the issues faced by locals, especially those living in old houses, Rohit said the passes will be given out after a survey is carried out jointly by CCP and the pay-parking agency.
On another issue, CCP has given an ultimatum to traders who have shops in the municipal markets to sign the new leave and license agreement or face eviction.
Both the Mayor and CCP Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes explained that CCP is owed crores of rupees from such traders and that they have acted upon recent directions from the court and government, wherein they have already started issuing eviction notices.
While Angelo pointed out that the legal advisor of the market traders has agreed with CCP’s new policy, Rohit lamented that more than Rs 3 crore was spent on clearing the market’s electricity and water dues and that they can’t keep putting in money and not getting any revenue.
The Mayor gave the example of Rs 3.5 crore has been spent for development works in 16 wards of Panjim and how the funds obtained from these traders could have been used to carry out more works in the interest of the tax-paying public.
The Commissioner added that despite this, CCP staff is still carrying out cleanliness and minor repair works.
Regarding other matters, the Mayor said that the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) has been roped in to carry out a comprehensive mapping of the drainage network of the city, which is part of the long-term plan to ‘permanently’ rectify the recurring floods issue. When that is completed, Rohit said they will approach government departments concerned for funding.
GSUDA is also constructing the new CCP building, which Rohit stated will cost around Rs 12-13 crore. He added that there are people in the present CCP building who still haven’t cleared their dues.
Rohit also issued an apology to the public for delay in development works and said that work orders are being issued immediately and that by September or October, all such works will begin. He was referring to the demand for fixing the streetlights and he announced that under the Smart City project, all the poles will be replaced in one month’s time.
Rohit added that CCP wants to implement a strict timeline for clearing files such as giving licenses etc as well as shifting lot of processes and paperowrk online.
He highlighted the CCP’s plans to rehabilitate a lot of the dwellers in Camrhabhat. Rohit said the area admeasuring 16-24 thousand square meters is heavily encroached and gets regularly flooded. A survey is being being carried out by a consultant, following which they will decide the future course of action.
The Commissioner further clarified that CCP is not presently recruiting new employees but just creating posts and that as and when vacancies arise, such posts will be filled. He said to create one post, it takes three-four months and that they are just preparing the infrastructure for a situation in the future where more manpower will be needed as the city grows and work requirements will increase.
Rohit also clarified that CCP only collects mixed waste generated out of the rooms of Goa Medical College.
On the issue of one-time-settlement (OTS) scheme for residents of Panjim, the Mayor urged the public to clear the principal amount of their pending dues to CCP. He explained that Rs 37 crore is the outstanding amount that is due of which they are seeking to recover Rs 16 crore, which is the principal amount.
Finally, Rohit took a dig at Opposition councillors asking for a raise in honorarium to municipal councillors, pointing out that on one hand they criticise the CCP for not having money for development works, while on the other hand, they want their individual payments hiked.
