Where is our corporator?

Where is our corporator?
BY SHWETA KAMAT
Mala: Before they cast their votes, the people from ward number 23 at Mala have  a tough task ahead. Finding their corporator Rudresh Chodankar.
While it may be a little late now, Chodankar would do well to hear what the people want for one last time before he heads back to them to ask for votes. It’s a pity though because the ward is nothing but a beautiful page from history. This is where Panjim originally began and every turn in every road has gorgeous vestiges of the past. Cobbled streets, old cottages with thatched roofs and sleepy court yards.
But there are cracks in the pretty picture . The homes are in a state of disrepair, the walls and tiles need some care and the homes need a facelift.
The owners rightly want the CCP to give them tax rebates so that the savings can go in to maintaining their houses since the world comes to Panjim to see a slice of history etched on these streets. They photograph the streets, the homes and the restaurants.
That brings us back to the missing corporator  “It’s very difficult to get to meet Chodankar. He is never accessible to us. We have been pleading before the corporation to give tax rebates to all those houses in conservation zone. Our corporator hasn’t taken this up” a local from Mala said.
Locals also feel that if the rebate is not given the land equivalent to that of FAR of the houses should be granted instead.
Garbage has been yet another issuing hunting the ward. The ward lacks proper garbage collection despite the fact that Chodankar belongs to the ruling lobby of corporators. Also drains are clogged.
Moreover, this ward takes all the water that rushes down from the Altinho hill. Flooding during monsoons is a normal affair here, like the adjoining ward 24.
Clearly Panjim’s past is crying out for a better future.