PANAJI:
The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has presented a budget for the 2025-26 financial year with expenditure estimates of Rs 120 crore of which around Rs 15-20 crore will be exclusively spent on the city's 'development' works.
Elections to elect the CCP's 30 councillors are due before the end of the 2025-26 financial year.
Interacting with the media after the CCP council meeting Monserrate said, the financial condition of the CCP is good in terms of savings and revenues.
"This year's budget is Rs 30 crore more than last year," he said.
Earlier, former mayor Surendra Furtado alleged that this year's budget is just a "copy-cut-paste" job.
According to the budget estimates presented at Thursday's meeting, the CCP is expected to earn a revenue of around Rs 120 crore and spend Rs 118 crore.
"We have decided to carry out development works at the fish market and children's park in Caranzalem, St Inez cemetery and some other places," Monserrate said, adding that necessary repairs will be carried out wherever needed.
Monserrate said, the CCP is also working on pending issues such as the National Theatre and the Lease-and-licence agreements in the market.
Earlier, CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira said the issue of the lease and license agreements with traders in Panaji market is complex but a way out is being worked on.
The shop allottees have been asked to submit their original documents and the issue will be resolved soon. The CCP has estimated a revenue earning of Rs 30 crore this year through these market lease-and-licences.
