PANAJI:
Addressing the media, Congress CCP in-charge and Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar stated, “Unlike the other two panels, UPF manifesto lists attainable goals and is not a magazine with pictures and details. Only things that can be completed have been listed.”
Madkaikar further stated that instead of painting a rosy picture like the other two panels, UPF manifesto is a part of the attempt to deliver what Panaji actually needs.
“Highlights of our manifesto include the assurance to reduce exorbitant house tax, online payment of house tax among other things. Also, we intend to weed out possibility of corruption by facilitating online construction licenses and occupancy certificates as well as trade tax NOCto ensure transparency,” he said.
Speaking about the issue of garbage management, Madkaikar charged that the government misguided the people by acquiring the land in Bainguinnim under urban development department for entire Goa’s garbage management and treatment and instead using it to dump Panaji’s garbage.
He added, “Because land was being misused, people of the area objected to it.”
Madkaikar insisted that three lakh sq mtrs is not needed for managing Panaji’s garbage. “Panaji has enough area for collection, segregation and disposal. A plant is not a priority at this point of time,” he said.
Addressing the concern regarding casinos, which has not found a mention is the manifesto, Madkaikar stated, “Shifting of casinos is an issue of the State government. Yes, the licenses were given for offshore casinos and not for Mandovi. But when it comes to Panaji, especially areas like Sao Tome, traffic congestion and parking are the main issues.”
Adding to this sitting corporator Rudresh Chodankar said, “There is an imbalance in house tax and taxes levied on commercial establishments. We will reduce house tax by charging commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants, casinos and others a city tax.”
He suggested that city tax can be levied on casinos and their entrance can be shifted to spots with better parking area and residents’ taxes can be rationalized by taxing the corporate.
Giving an example of administrative policy for revenue generation, Chodankar spoke about collecting city tax from all hotels for lifting their garbage and transferring this tax to the residents.
The manifesto lists 36 assurances under infrastructure, administrative reforms, health and sanitation facilities, tourism and heritage. Among other things, UPF has assured free WiFi, footpaths, decongestion of roads, better parking facilities at D B Road and Sao Tome, cleaning of Rua de Ourem and St Inez creeks, tackling of stray dog menace, cleaner market and completion of phase three of municipal market.
Ground survey and mapping of utility lines and pipe lines to prevent unnecessary digging of roads and construction of mini market at Ribandar also feature prominently in the manifesto.
Adv Yatish Naik, Sunil Kawthankar, Isidore Fernandes, Vijay Pai, Urfan Mulla, Shankar Kirlapalker, Adriano Godinho and Ashish Naik were among those present along with 20 candidates of the panel.
