The mismanagement of affairs at the Corporation of the City of Panaji was on full display over the past week as chaos erupted at the time of the sale of forms prompting a mild lathi charge from the police. The vendors, many of whom were waiting hours in the sun, were upset that forms were being sold through the backdoor and an artificial shortage was being created much to their detriment and that of genuine buyers.
It soon emerged that the CCP had given forms to its councillors with a certain quota of forms distributed to each councillor who in turn was alleged to be selling them in black or simply distributing them among their friends and family. In short -- there wasn’t even a pretence of a fair and equitable process being followed which only served to fuel the situation further.
It has long been known that the management of affairs in the Corporation of the City of Panaji has left much to be desired in terms of probity and the CCP certainly has set a benchmark in this regard. Right from the early days of construction material meant for public infrastructure disappearing from the custody of the then Panjim Municipal Corporation to the infamous Panaji municipal market shops scam to the annual allegations of financial hanky panky in the distribution of spots for the annual fairs, the administration has got too used to overlooking corruption.
Probity in public life is not restricted only to public representatives and officers at the state level -- but is equally a requirement of representatives at the grassroots panchayat and municipal level. Unfortunately, there is very little oversight, much less any oversight or accountability into the affairs of these corporations, and even for a scam as big and brazen as the Panaji market municipal shop allotment scam, no one was held to account. Such lack of oversight has only served to fuel bigger and more brazen scams in which the state exchequer is the biggest loser while those who illegally profit from the scam usually go scot-free.
People who question the mismanagement of affairs in the city council are usually sidelined, silenced or even bought over so that the loot can continue -- all this right under the eyes of the seat of government that itself appears to have conceded that it is going to allow the rot to fester. This leaves us with the question -- how does one ensure probity in public life when everyone -- including those who are tasked with maintaining checks and balances -- is in on grabbing a bite of the pie?
It is imperative that to progress as a society we need to strengthen our institutions in the truest sense and not make them beholden to the whims of whichever political dispensation is in power at the moment. It is institutions and their ability to function independently that separate successful nations from failed states. Unfortunately India and Goa in particular seem to be headed down that path with those in government repeatedly giving themselves a clean chit no matter the nature of the allegations and any inquiries that are conducted are merely an eyewash with even prosecution not being launched against the alleged wrongdoers. It is high time we take steps to rectify this situation.
