The hype created on the Smart City Mission has taken a different turn with activists and general public alleging that the second chance Panjim got to receive central funds though fast-track competition mode was also not given the required attention.
The State already faced an embarrassment in January 2016 when even after carrying out so-called awareness drives across the city; it missed the opportunity to get selected in the first list of the Smart City Mission. The Ministry for Urban Development however ranked Panjim fifth in the ‘fast-track’ round under which 23 cities across the country would be selected for funds.
An upgraded proposal was submitted to the ministry on April 21 but activists are not too happy the manner in which Corporation of City of Panjim and Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation carried out the activity. They categorically stated that the authorities are genuinely not interested to ensure the capital is at advantage of availing funds for development.
“It is a big sham. They tried to advertise and put up kiosks inviting suggestions but overall it was a misinformation campaign. The officials are not serious about the issue or feedback submitted by the experts or general public,” Chairman of Goa ForGiving Armando Gonsalves commented.
Activists in this field argue that roping in consultants is merely an attempt to “make money” as the Smart City Mission should be focused on people’s participation, which unfortunately is not seen anywhere.
“The experts, activists and citizens have repeatedly spoken on the same issues (pertaining to the capital) like St Inez creek, etc on various public platforms. But the authorities have never considered those suggestions/views. They instead waste time and money by conducting the same exercise time and again,” Goa Bachao Abhiyaan Convener Sabina Martins said. She alleged that authorities are least bothered to get funds for the city as the agencies is more interest to ensure their ‘favourites’ are appointed as consultants. “I find a lot of politicking happening. Those seriously working to find a solution are not taken into confidence or are given cold-shoulder. I believe the ruling or the opposition panels (of the CCP) are more interested on who bags the project. Enough money has been paid to consultants. Why waste such money when the same issues are discussed even in the past,” she said condemning that funds under JNNURM for another project was returned as the work was not executed within the prescribed time.
Gonsalves shared similar opinion stating that during every meeting, the stakeholders were not taken seriously. “They are only interested to record the number of suggestions and attendees, to submit to the union government. We have often noticed in the meetings held for the purpose that the actual issue is brushed aside,” he said.
Ironically, only one public consultation was held after Panjim was given a second chance to apply for funds under the scheme.
“There are so many reports on every crucial issue troubling the city and recommendations to rectify or improve on those. Unfortunately, all these are only on papers. The campaign on the Smart City Mission has been a failure since the very beginning. The public have been discouraged from active participation,” student-cum-social activist Samuel Fernandes said.
