PANAJI
Even as the officialdom at the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) went ahead with the operations to demolish the old market building for the second day on Friday, there is a growing disquiet in its political echelons over the secrecy and complete short-changing of the Standing Committee, Market Committee and the Council itself of the plans.
Councillors, including some from the ruling camp, are upset that the demolition and the plans to build the third phase of the CCP's new market are being drawn bypassing set procedures and without taking the council into confidence.
"The issue has not been brought before the market committee. Even the standing committee has been bypassed. Also, it should have figured in the council meeting for approval before any action was taken," Nelson Cabral told 'The Goan'.
Cabral, who is a councillor serving his third term, also alleged that the plans are being drawn for a new building with additional floors. "Why are additional floors needed? Only those occupying the old building have to be provided for. For whom are the additional floors?" Cabral questioned.
A few senior councillors from the ruling side too are upset with the way the CCP has gone about with its action related to the old market building without keeping the standing committee, market committee and the council in the loop.
Three-term councillor Bento Lorena, considered close to Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, heads the market committee. Lorena did not respond to calls but several other councillors said he and other members of the market committee are livid that the authorities did not keep them in the loop.
Monserrate controls the CCP politically and his son Rohit is the mayor currently serving his fourth one-year term. At least three councillors from the Monserrate camp told The Goan that they are completely in the dark about the demolition of the old market building as well as the future plan to build the third phase of the CCP market there.
