The CCP is governed and mandated by the City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002 and has to strictly function and operate within the ambit and framework of this Act.
The CCP has been wrongly designating and addressing the 30 elected representatives as Corporators instead of Councillors as mandated by the CCP Act. A complaint to this effect has already been filed with the Director of Municipal Administration Mr. Gurudas Pilarnekar and the Secretary of Urban Development Dr Tariq Thomas. Section 5 (11) of the CCP Act refers to ‘Councillor’ as any person who is elected as a member of the Corporation. Further Section 9 (1) (a) of the Act also states that the Corporation shall consist of thirty ‘Councillors’ directly elected at ward elections. Despite this being the mandate of the law, the CCP has in clear violation of the Act been wrongly designating and addressing these 30 elected representatives as ‘Corporators’ and not ‘Councillors’. The 30 elected representatives in contravention of the Act have been listed as Corporators on the CCP website. The CCP Commissioner should immediately rectify this violation while designating and addressing each of those 30 elected representatives as ‘Councillor’ and not as ‘Corporator’. The Commissioner must also explain as to how the Corporation has been acting in clear violation of the CCP Act. The onus on complying with the provisions of the CCP Act is on the Commissioner. Since its inception Section 41 of the Act which requires Ward Committes to be appointed was not enforced. The High Court last year had to issue directions to that effect. There are many other provisions of the CCP Act which are not being enforced and it is hoped that the Commissioner will work to ensure that every provision of the Act is complied in letter and spirit. He is duty bound by law to do so. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
