Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government on Wednesday informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that rules for constituting the ward committees of Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) are in the process of being framed.
Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) Tariq Thomas in his affidavit has stated before the High Court that the CCP Ward Committee Rules 2020 proposed under Section 391 of the CCP Act have been prepared and the same are under the process of obtaining Government approval.
He further stated that draft rules once published will be kept open for 15 days for any objections or suggestions from the public; and that the rules would prescribe norms for the recognition of the NGOs and requisite qualifications for nomination of members on the ward committees.
Advocate Aires Rodrigues filed a plea alleging illegal constitution of the ward committees by Corporation of City of Panaji and pointed out to Section 41 of the CCP Act that mandates three non-official members on each ward committee be mandatorily from amongst the members of recognised NGOs and community-based organizations engaged in social welfare activities working within the area of the ward committees.
In reality, the petition stated that the requirement has not been complied with by the Corporation of City of Panaji as three nominated members on the seven ward committees formed by the Corporation of City of Panaji on June 18, 2020 did not have the qualifications required in terms of Section 41 of the CCP Act.
The court while seeking an explanation from the Corporation of City of Panaji and government, during the last hearing, had directed those 21 nominated members to file an affidavit about their qualifications.
On Wednesday, following submission from the DMA, the court has adjourned the matter for next hearing on Thursday, August 27.
