PANJIM: Surendra Furtado has been re-elected as Panjim Mayor defeating BJP’s Rupesh Halarnakar by 17 votes to 13 in the 30-member corporation by secret ballot. Lata Parekh has been elected unopposed as the Deputy Mayor.
With this election, former St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate managed to retain hold of the council amidst speculation that with the formation of a new BJP-led government, the equations in Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) could tilt towards the BJP camp.Delivering his acceptance speech, Furtado solicited the support of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Panjim MLA Sidharth Kunkalienker in the progress and development of the capital city.
He said, “In recent years, for various reasons, we have seen the decay of Panjim. I do not wish to dwell on the past but make a fresh beginning. We have improved the infrastructure of Panjim, ensured cleanliness and efficient garbage management for which we have recently received the national award.”
Furtado appealed to Parrikar to devolve administrative and financial powers to the CCP and other municipal councils under the 74th Amendment and give all the local bodies 40 percent of the State budget as implemented in Kerala.
He said, “I request CM to give us decentralised planning powers and to empower the district planning committees where even panchayats and municipalities can contribute to planning. I request the CM to also create a separate local government civil service cadre for autonomy to local bodies. In short, give us funds, powers and functionaries to run a good city government.”
Speaking to the media on the priorities, he said, “Our priorities are lifting the garbage, desilting of all storm water drains, to ask the government to give us a new garbage treatment plan, St Inez creek.”
Various committees were appointed including the standing committee, public health and market committee, women and child welfare committee and public works committee.
