Please ignore the previous version. Below is the corrected version.
SMART CITY MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS Panjim is a city of chaos and of desperate people and it is the worst city of Goa -- even worse than Margao, Mapusa and Ponda. >From day one, I was involved as Panjimite and therefore stake holder in the Smart City programme/mission. We attended and raised queries and objections at several meetings at CCP hall, Fidalgo hotel, Patto and other prominent places. Inspite of our objections, the GSIDC went ahead despite the fact that ex-Mayor Surendra Furtado and some councillors did not attend the meetings. Sidharth and IPSCL MD Swayan Chaudhuri took up the project of Smart City Mission although their appearance into public domain came later. I am still sure that at this point of time this city is not in position to reach its goal. I reiterate and advise whoever is involved in such a huge project where the public exchequer funds are at stake to hold off on fancy measures when the basic infrastructure, like drainage, roads is not in place. It is prudent for me to mention here that top beaurocrats, both from the government as well as GSIDC, should have first-hand information about Smart Cities abroad that they are dreaming about. Those are built up on infrastructure and do not have the existing drawbacks present in our city of Panjim. I believe there is no necessity to take up this project that Sidharth is pursuing so rigorously when the Chief Minister, due to his illness, is unable to monitor the wastage of funds. Stephen Dias Dona Paula 9422443110 Sent from my Samsung device
