The meeting between Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Panaji Mayor Surendra Furtado could spell success for the capital city. There is no love lost between Parrikar and Furtado. It might be recalled that the mayor was instrumental is getting grants for beautification of the St Inez creek and construction of a garbage treatment plant, but the projects were blocked by the government. The CCP and the government have always worked at cross purposes and with Babush Monserrate, who controls the corporation deferring his decision to contest the by-election to Panaji, there is hope that the mayor and chief minister could find common ground. Although Panaji has a time-tested system for collection of garbage, there are a few areas which need to be addressed. The mayor has asked for a bigger mulching machine and Rs 5 crore to revamp the municipal market. Though not in a pitiable condition, the market needs a clean-up. There are other areas where the CCP and government need to work together. Panaji has slipped and in a recent poll it emerged as the 90th cleanest city in the country. Clearly there is a lot of work to do and all this can be accomplished if the Chief Minister and Mayor are on the same page.
