PANJIM: As part of the Smart
City plans, the State government will undertake a special study on non-revenue
water for Panjim, improvement in municipal tax collection and revenue
generation for the civic body through advertisements. The study will be
executed through Central funding.
Imagine Panjim Smart City
Development Ltd – the special purpose vehicle (SPV), Public Works Department
(PWD) and the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) will jointly conduct the
study.
Addressing media persons,
Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) vice president
Siddharat Kuncholienkar said the Central government has sanctioned three
projects for Panjim for which a detailed feasibility study will have to be
conducted before execution.
Under the non-revenue water,
emphasis will be to reduce misuse of water, revenue leakages and proper billing
system. Use of technological intervention by reaching out to people’s door step
for tax payment and ensuring timely payment would be part of ‘understanding the
potential of municipal tax’ study.
Under the ‘potential of
advertisement revenue for civic body’ the authorities will focus on promoting
advertisements through hoardings without hampering the city’s uniqueness.
Kuncolienkar said that the Registrar
of Companies has incorporated the SPV in the name and style of Imagine Panaji
Smart City Development Limited, with the State government and CCP having 40
percent shares each respectively. GSIDC and Economic Development Corporation
(EDC) will have a share of 10 percent each, he added. The SPV will be chaired by
the Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Mahajan.
Panjim is
one amongst 33 cities selected
for development under the
Smart City Mission
by the Centre. Rs 534 crores will be spent on development and improvement
of Panjim over
the next five years, with the State and Centre contributing Rs 267.06 crore
each.
