http://oheraldo.in/node/11087
Completing the unfinished agenda Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate has once again passed the test and emerged a winner. After Talegoan, he has succeeded in making Panjim his unchallenged fiefdom and is now a force to reckon, he has shown his capability by striking at lightening speed delivering a knock out punch as voters who are the power and very foundation of our democracy have finally decided in his favour in what can be termed as the mother of all municipal elections that will change the face and future of Panaji. Manohar Parrikarâ's well-formulated strategy of shrewd calculations has misfired and he has suffered a resounding defeat having failed miserably in his mission of dislodging Babush as the sharp Goan voter read through his game-plan and refused to support his alliance. The next crucial question is how will the BJP fare in the coming general elections? Will Parrikar succeed in retaining the Panjim seat or will he suffer an irreversible debacle and collapse? The growing popularity of Babush as a leader of the masses, his sincerity in helping people settle their problems, his simplicity, generosity and charisma all has had an effect on the voting decision. He leads by example which is evident from the fact that after having won the elections and was sworn as a Minister for the first time during the BJP-Parrikar regime, he preferred to walk all the way from the lawns of Raj Bhavan right upto the Dona Paula circle together with his constituents when all the other Ministers happily drove away in their red beacon cars. No doubt money has played a vital role, but that happens at every election and cannot be the sole ground for his victory. There was splitting of votes due to infighting among congressmen and the communal riots also had its effect on the results of the elections. Now that the results have been declared, what does the future hold for Panjim? Will the quality of life improve for those living in the city and will there be further improvement in civic amenities or will corruption increase? Panjim is a clean city and the young, talented and dynamic Municipal Commissioner has done an admirable job in the transforming Panjim which today boasts of an elegant market complex, painted heritage buildings, no garbage zones, free entertainment at parks, parking slots, traffic islands and Panjim chaka chak. So far so good as long as the Panjim voter does not feel the pinch of the expenses on his pocket and revenue comes from elsewhere through sponsorship. But in the light of this backdrop the question that is being asked is how long will this Chaka Chak campaign last and at what cost? Will municipal taxes be affordable or will there be a quantum increase in House Tax after the new Mayor takes over? These are the lurking doubts in the minds of the people. The real estate developers are obviously ecstatic as multi-storied towers and new projects will start looking up and property prices will soar. In contrast there still remains lots to be done and the new team must carry out a complete inspection of the city to address the issue of shortage of car parking and traffic jams, leaking building pipes and shops who have connected their washbasin outlets into the open drain gutters, air conditioners protruding on the footpaths releasing polluted hot air blast right into the noses of the pedestrian, residents watering their flowerpots kept on box grills of enclosed windows and in the process also bathing the passerby below. Here why does the CCP turn a nelsons eye? Many roads and open spaces are encroached by stalls and hawkers. The growing beggar menace. The sale camp put up and run by non-Goans opposite the Kadamba Bus Stand is occupying large public space and is an eyesore, how much are they contributing both under and over the table to the coffers of the corporation? This area could be used for parking or as an interstate bus terminal. Then the illegal religious shrine right in the middle of the footpath of old Patto bridge with steps jutting on the road has become a major obstruction to traffic and hindrance to pedestrians using the footpath, when is the municipality going to demolish or relocate it? The secretariat (thank God it has shifted) the motorist has to face hardship every time a Minister enters or leaves the secretariat, the one-way streets need to be looked into so as to provide for more entry and exit routes. When will Panjim get sufficient water supply and new sewage pipes and uninterrupted power and the mosquito, malaria, and matka eradication? There has to be a solution to the perennial problem of flooding. The CCP must find a suitable permanent remedy for garbage disposal rather then dumping it below the Mandovi bridge which stench is unbearable and can lead to an outbreak of an epidemic which needs to be stopped immediately. It is common knowledge that in the functioning of Municipality most of the revenue collected by way of taxes is spent on staff salaries and there is hardly any money in the kitty left for development. The expenses in maintaining a fleet of vehicles, staff, work force and other infrastructure which has to be paid for. How long can a Municipality depend on Government Grants and the CCP must therefore address the basic issue of identifying opportunities for self-financing to provide a meaningful solution to generate incomes in different ways without taxing the citizen to strike a balance. The councellors must stand united and learn to bury their indifferences. Panjim deserves to be a world-class city and though Parrikar tried hard he could not totally succeed will Babush complete the unfinished agenda? The real test is beginning and the CCP needs to be energized and renewed to have the right balance of expertise and wisdom to create a self driven, self regulated, independent municipality and all the elected councilors must step up performance with accountability for the benefit of its citizens who have given them the mandate. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
