A Panel Discussion on the topic "Panjim - Problems and Solutions" was held on September 7th at Shree Mahalaxmi Temple Hall, Panaji.
CCP Mayor Yatin Parekh, Opposition CCP Corporators Surendra Furtado and Vaidehi Naik and former Tourism Minister and Social Activist Matanhy Saldanha addressed the various problems and concerns of the Panaji city and made a few suggestions for the city improvement. Later, questions were asked on: Garbage crisis Traffic Mismanagement Caculo Mall Stray Dogs Demolition of Heritage Buildings Exhibition Scams House Tax Scams Bad roads particularly the D.B. Bandodkar Marg Post Office at Miramar Multi Level Parking Zones, etc Ruling Corporators Milind Shirodkar and Prajyot Vaigankar and Opposition Corporators Nivedita Chopdekar, Bharati Heble, Maya Talkar and Pratima Hoble were present. Amongst others spotted in the audience were Social Activist Annand Madgaokar, Historial Prajal Sakhardande, Shrikant Barve, Tara Narayan, Valmiki Naik(IAC Goa Unit), Artist Naguesh Sardesai, Writer Cecil pinto and Past Presidents of JCI St. Inez Siddharth Sakhardande, Gautam Shankardas and Ramesh Naik. The Panel Discussion was moderated by Sandeep Heble, Founder Presidnet of JCI St. Inez. Later, Uma Sakhardande, President of JCI St. Inez, presented mementos to the Panelists. Report of the Panel Discussion as below (Courtesy Times of India Goa Edition) CCP clobbered at panel discussion PANAJI: Panaji mayor Yatin Parekh has admitted that Panaji is facing many problems. "You will see development gradually. I'm not saying that there is no corruption in the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), but so far there have not been any scams during my tenure," said Parekh. He was speaking at a panel discussion on 'Panaji-problems and solutions' held at the Mahalaxmi temple hall in the city. Vaidehi Naik, CCP councillor for ward 12, felt the municipality had "fallen into the wrong hands" and hence the city was facing problems. Among the "major problems" she cited were garbage disposal, traffic congestion, increase in the number of beggars and parking. Citing the recent murder of a waiter at a popular eatery in her ward, she said the safety of citizens has become an issue. "People ask me, 'Does CCP have a solution for the problems? What should I tell them? Can I tell them there is no space for dumping garbage?" Naik queried. Alleging that the CCP has not spent money properly, she said people's participation is necessary for the city's betterment. "Who will answer for the mismanagement and corruption in CCP?" she asked. Councillor for ward 9, Surendra Furtado, held the citizens responsible for Panaji's "deteriorating condition". Referring to the re-election of Babush Monserrate's panel, he said, "It's a pity that after so many scams, the people of Panaji did not change their mind. The people of Panaji are to be blamed for the deteriorating condition of the city. Villagers all over Goa have stood up in protest against attempts to tamper with their villages, but Panjimites seem least bothered about the present state of their city." Furtado alleged "total mismanagement in the CCP, with files disappearing often". "An entire floor of the CCP building, where the waste management department is operating (on the roofed terrace), is illegal," he alleged. He further claimed "the technical department of the CCP is dormant and by turning a blind eye to illegalities is costing the corporation crores of rupees." Furtado further lashed out against "political interference" in the functioning of the CCP. "I pity the mayor. He wants to do many things (such as the Bainguinim garbage treatment plant) but he is not being allowed to do so. Moreover, 75% of CCP's budget is being diverted for works in Taleigao constituency, including Caranzalem. Panaji is losing out due to this," alleged Furtado. Claiming that Panaji market occupants are not paying the rent as they are being protected by political godfathers, Furtado said, "This leads to the CCP losing crores of rupees as it spends on maintenance and paying of the market complex bills. Why should CCP lose revenue?" Commenting on how shoddily CCP handled funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), he claimed, "If the 600 crore funds had been utilized, Panaji could have been developed better than Singapore." On the issue of garbage, Furtado pointed out, "Despite the high court permitting CCP to set up a treatment plant at Bainguinim, it isn't being done. Who is stopping the CCP from doing so?" He felt that a flyover and better traffic management are solutions to the city's traffic woes. Matanhy Saldanha, also a panel speaker, said, "With the city facing so many problems, it feels like CCP does not exist. Parking spaces have been converted into shops. How did the CCP permit this?" He suggested that garbage management should be part of the curriculum, while parents should try to imbibe some love for the city in their children. Commenting on the demolition of the heritage building opposite National Cinema, Saldanha, a resident of St Inez, felt that unlike abroad, people of Panaji do not realize the worth of their heritage. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/CCP-clobbered-at-panel-discussion/articleshow/9905550.cms Caculo Mall is a fiasco: Parekh PANAJI: Panaji mayor, Yatin Parekh, on Wednesday, told a panel discussion in the city, "There are huge pressures politically. I have to try and balance them and do the work (of the Corporation of the City of Panaji)." He did not specify which politicians are behind the "political pressures". He further said that as a measure of transparency, a "double accounting" system rather than a single accounting system would be introduced in the CCP. He did not specify what a double accounting system is. On the city's garbage woes, Parekh told the audience, "The issue will be resolved in the coming 4-5 months." Pointing to the city's woes, he said, "Panaji has been deteriorating for the last 20 years. CCP is not a planning body. PDA does planning, we only issue licenses." Promising to "personally take responsibility for any problems", Parekh said the potholes on the Miramar road could be tackled by placing table-top interlocking tiles as used at the St Inez junction and in front of Kala Academy. To a query on the severe traffic obstructions that occur due to inadequate parking at Caculo Mall, the mayor said, "Of the 25 malls I have visited in the country, Caculo Mall is unique as it is the only mall without proper parking facilities. In my opinion it is a fiasco." Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Caculo-Mall-is-a-fiasco-Parekh/articleshow/9905554.cms
