Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The controversy surrounding the pay-parking issue generated a lot of heat during the CCP’s Special meeting today with the opposition councillors alleging it was a “major scam”.
The Corporation defended the pay parking contractor- collecting fees even today, stating that the said contractor is the successful bidder to the fresh tender which was floated in July.
The Corporation also said that the bidder has already paid 70 per cent of the bid amount with a band guarantee, amounting to over Rs 1.60 cr to the CCP.
The CCP had signed a contract with Sohan Juwarkar for three years ending on February 14 for the collection of pay-parking fees. It was extended for a period of six months but it ended on August 24.
CCP commissioner Clen Madeira refused to comment on the issue, while Mayor Rohit Monserrate has said that a fresh tender will be floated.
Uday Madkaikar had heated arguments with Madeira over the issue as according to the minutes of the meeting, Madkaikar had suggested that the contractor should be given an extension.
Denying it, Madkaikar threatened to file a police complaint on the issue.
The CCP gets Rs 15-20 lakh on average every month from the pay-parking contractor. Former mayor and senior-most corporator Surendra Furtado alleged there is no accountability in the CCP.
During an ordinary CCP meeting held last week, opposition councillors alleged that the pay parking contract was extended on two occasions without following procedure and without discussing it in the Corporation meeting.
CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate had also assured them that he would convene a special meeting to discuss and approve the paid parking in the notified areas.
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