21/06/2005 Mr Joaquim Braz Alemao Hon'ble Minister for Urban Development Govt of Goa Secretariat Panaji Goa ------------ Respected Sir,
We,at South Goa Public Interest Action Group (SGPIAG) a registered NGO based in Margao,Salcete, South Goa District ,with jurisdiction, at present, over the entire South Goa District desire to place before you the aspirations of the people of Goa on matters relating to Corporation of the City of Panaji and the thirteen Municipalities of Goa. You have exactly 21 months (1st July 2005 to 31st March, 2006 and 1st April 2006 to March 2007 )to revamp the entire functioning of the Corporation and the Municipalities. Therefore we suggest a two pronged approach to the issues: LEGISLATION : Sir you are aware that following the Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act 1992, the role of urban local bodies have been redefined vis a vis power function and finances Following this amendment the Legislature of a State needs by law to entrust on these bodies such POWER and AUTHORITY as may be necessary to enable them to function as institution of local self government, and undertake the task set out in the Twelfth Schedule. a) Urban Planning including town planning. b) Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings. c) Planning for economic and social development. Roads and bridges. d) Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes. e) Public health, sanitation, conservancy and solid waste management. f) Fire services. g) Urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects. h) Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded. i) Slum improvement and upgradation. j) Urban poverty alleviation. k) Provision of Urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens, playgrounds. l) Promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects. m) Burials and burial grounds; cremations, cremation grounds and electric crematoriums. n) Cattle pounds; prevention of cruelty to animals. o) Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths. p) Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops and public conveniences. q) Regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries. r) In each district a District Planning Committee shall be constituted to consolidate the plan prepared by the urban and rural local bodies s) assign them specific taxes, duties, tolls and levies and anthorise them to impose, collect and appropriate the same. t) constitute a Finance Commission which shall review the financial position of the urban local bodies and recommend the principles which should govern the devolution of resources, including grant-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of the State of these bodies. To, achieve these objectives your Ministry needs to undertake a review of the items YET to be implemented and prepare legislations for the same either by enacting a new Municipal Law or amend the existing Municipalities Act 1968 to conform to conform to the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 set out above. This is your pre-dominant job as a law maker and legislator and therefore you need to constitute a committee of officials of the Govt of Goa, well meaning citizens with due representation to NGOs as well. Assitance from retired personnel within and outside the State would be advisable. In addition to the above we at SGPIAG feel that due legislation should be enacted on the following a) Making ward councillors/corporators ACCOUNTABLE for illegalities in their ward b) introducing a COMMON CADRE for all Corporation and Municipal staff c) No Chief Officer/Municipal Engineer should be transferred within three years d) Complement of top heirarchy staff should at no time be left vacant. Fresh incumbents to fill in vacancies atleast three months before occurence of the vacancy to enable him/her understudy and to ensure that the incumbent separating does not indulge in corrupt practices towards the end of his tenure. e) Cleanliness/Garbage disposal matters should be contracted. f) No motion of No Confidence can be pursued within the first three years of the Council term. g) Voters in the Corporation/Municipality should be allowed atleast four sessions -- alike the gram sabhas to interact and deliberate with the Councillors on matters affecting the Corporation or Municipal area and no major development issues should be permitted to be taken up by the Corporation /Municipal without making the citizens aware -- by public debate, issuing a white paper on such proposals. ALLIED ACTIONS STAFF/WARD COUNCILLORS/CORPORATORS Sir, you will agree that a) most of the staff and other officials have not toured the entire metes and bounds of the Corporation or Municipalites in Goa. b) some are not updated on the civic issues affecting the smooth functioning of the Corporation/ Municipalities c) staff are not aware of the Municipal properties or the ward maps niether is this information available to the citizens. d) staff are not aware of the bye laws passed by the respective Corporation/Council niether are they having details of the Minutes passed since the inception of the Municipalities Corporation You may therefore Sir direct all the Municipalities/Coporation to accomplish all that is set out above and ensure a) that every Corporation>Municipal staff and Ward corporator/councillor has a first hand information of i) 74th Constitution amendment (English/Marathi/Konkani) ii) Municipal Act Rules Corporation Act Rules - relevant bye-laws Minutes of all meetings since inception iii) ward maps giving details of City Survey - PTS Chalta Nos or Survey Sub division number iv) the areas which are Corporation and Municipal properties the offices, bazars, slaughter houses etc To have a better interaction each Corporation/Municipality should have a website a email address so that interaction between your office and other offices and the public is prompt. Already some have made an efforts others should follow suit. CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE a) garbage disposal (introduce garbage bins free environment by pressing into service garbage collection trucks at nights especially from crucial areas --- markets hotels hospitals b) urgent repairs and clearing of storm drains c) hawking zones to be identified and notified d) all buildings which have violated parking space areas should be directed to pay for proportionate area of parking space e) begging and movement of stray animals should be prohibited. We at SGPIAG assure you Sir that given you excellent organisational abilities and an endeavour for cleanliness and hygiene our regd NGO will always support your efforts to make Goa's cities and towns a beautiful place to live in. For SOUTH GOA PUBLIC INTEREST ACTION GROUP Regd No 171/GOA/2000 dt 12.12.2000 sd/- TERENCE MAZARELO PRESIDENT (SGPIAG) 1st Flr Benlix Bldg Opp Fatima Convent Margao Goa India [EMAIL PROTECTED] weblink http://mumbai.sancharnet.in/manojnd FAX +91 832 2712430 HELPLINE (24 hrs) 9822158584 Tel +91 832 2731373 (O) __________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your friends 'n family snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://in.photos.yahoo.com