A reasoned debate and fruitful discussion is the very essence of democracy as it paves way for transparency and accountability in Governance. It is unfortunate that the sessions of our Legislative Assembly in recent times have sought to be curtailed. But the pandemic has not come in the way of other government functions.
While in the Opposition, Panaji MLA Babush Monserrate had accused the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) of being a big den of corruption and had demanded a public discussion on projects being undertaken. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had summoned a public interaction of IPSCDL with the citizens of Panaji on May 28, 2019 but at the last minute cancelled it while assuring that it would be rescheduled. It is over two long years and no sign of that meeting. Ironically Monserrate and his Mayor son are now directors of that very IPSCDL. Without a truly genuine and concerted effort to improve the city’s crumbling infrastructure, our now plummeting Panaji will only end up being further submerged with public money down the drain. There needs to be a public vigil to ensure zero tolerance to scams in the name of development.
