----- Original Message ----- From: goasuraj To: The Goan Forum ; GOANCAUSES ; www.goa-world.com -Goa's Pride ; AVERTHANUS D'SOUZA ; GOA DESC ; GOA FOUNDATION Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 1:49 PM Subject: "CITIZENS' RIGHT TO KNOW" By: Patricia Pinto - Corporator of Panjim Municipal Corporation
Dear Floriano, I am attaching herewith an article I sent to the Press last week, which has not been published yet. May be you could post it on the net for me. Thanks, Patricia Pinto. "Citizens' Right to know" When the Goa Right to Information Act came into force the Goan people felt privileged and were an excited lot. However, this excitement was short lived as citizens have realized that the Government is reluctant to part with vital information and would rather put hurdles in the way of the applicant, thus defeating the very purpose of enacting this Act. I was indeed amused to read the news item "Panjim set for a major face-lift, says Parrikar" with various projects on the anvil, "to come as a surprise to the people". If the surprise Mr. Parrikar has in store for citizens of Panjim is something on the lines of the proposed privatization of Miramar Beach which was shot down by the Nandakumar Kamat Commission, then we would rather do without such surprises. I am being constantly asked by citizens from areas which are likely to be affected by the Government's decision to hold the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panjim city, as to plans for the infrastructure etc. I am feeling embarrassed to say that as a Councillor of the Corporation of the City of Panaji, that too for the ward where all the proposed venues of the IFFI are located, I was unable to answer most of their queries. Firstly, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) as the custodian of the city ought to have been a major stakeholder in any development taking place in the city, in particular when an event like making Panjim the permanent venue for the IFFI is concerned. In fact the CCP should have been involved with the Project right from the planning stage. I have raised this issue at the Corporation meetings while asking for plans to be placed before the members for discussion, but unfortunately the Mayor and the Commissioner either seemed to be absolutely in the dark or chose not to divulge any plans. I however obtained a firm assurance from the Mayor Mr. Ashok Naik that no major development works for the IFFI would commence in Panjim unless the plans were put up before the members of the Corporation. I am still waiting for this assurance to be honoured, even as the buildings in the old GMC complex are being demolished. If the Councillor who represents a particular ward is not able to access information related to development that is going to take place in his or her ward, then what is the fate of the common citizen? So much for "Transparency". Here I would like to clarify that I am not against holding of the IFFI per se, as I am not an expert on films. I would leave the debate to the connoisseurs of films and those who know what film culture is all about. All that I am demanding is that the plans be made open to the public, both by the CCP and the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC). After all holding of the IFFI and the infrastructure that goes with holding an event of such a magnitude could either make or break the city if there are flaws in the planning process. Incidentally when a group of Architects approached the Commissioner of the CCP in early December for information on the infrastructure at the main venue i.e. the Kala Academy and the old GMC Complex, and other information as regards empanelment of Architects etc, the Commissioner suggested a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the GSIDC which was the planning agency. I was also present at the meeting. Unfortunately the meeting with the CEO turned out to be a non event as we were informed that the planning was still at a "Fluid" stage, and he was not in a position to give any information as regards parking, traffic management etc. at these venues. I have since been trying to make enquiries but the explanations have been evasive. I have no idea whether this "Fluid" stage of planning by the GSIDC has "Solidified", but I have reasons to believe the latter after seeing the tenders that are being floated in the newspapers by the GSIDC for works amounting to crores of rupees. At a recent function at Margao, Mr. Parrikar stated that in a particular case "information was denied because the applicants did not follow the proper procedure. One has to move the application to the Competent Authority stating the public interest" unquote. The citizens would be interested to note that for the CCP and the GSIDC, no "Competent Authority" has been notified so far under the Goa Right to Information Act. If we have to taste the fruits of the Goa Right to Information Act, and if this Government is really sincere about implementing the Act in its true sense, then it should take immediate steps to ensure that all such Corporations are brought under the ambit of the Goa Right to Information Act. Besides, the Government could be more "citizen friendly" and instruct its officers to advise applicants as to the concerned "Competent Authority" rather than ignore the application. The Government should realize that "Transparency" and "Good Governance" are two sides of the same coin. I would like to mention here that at a recent exhibition on "Good Governance India" (3rd International Exhibition on Public works, Municipal services and Urban Development) held at Mumbai, the MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited) put up a stall wherein plans, models and charts pertaining to their upcoming development projects such as Mass Rapid Transit System for Thane City, Western freeway-sealink Project etc. were displayed. The stall was manned by a well informed Officer who encouraged questions and suggestions from the Visitors. I wish the Goa Government would emulate this example as the people have the Right to Know what development is taking place in their city, specially since crores of public funds are being pumped into these Projects. After all the "Father knows best Policy" need not always work. - Patricia Pinto, Councillor, Corporation of the City of Panaji and founder member of the People's Movement for Civic Action (PMCA). ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
