BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Panjimites can now heave a sigh of relief and perhaps release their noses. The workers of the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) have decided to defer their strike till the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat takes a final decision on their pay scales.
The 350-odd CCP workers had decided to go on strike from Monday, July 27 after the CCP decided to go against its earlier decision to pay staff according to VI pay commission recommendations.
Earlier strikes by the CCP workers had left garbage unattended leaving the capital in a mess, and city residents were wary of their fate this time around too.
Keshav Prabhu, the President of All Goa Municipal Employees Association while speaking to GT informed that the decision to defer the strike was taken after the meeting with the Chief Minister yesterday afternoon.
At the meeting, Urban Development Minsiter, Joaquim Alemao, CCP Commissioner, Sanjit Rodrigues and the CCP's Accounts Officer were also present.
“During the meeting the Chief Minister agreed 'in principle' that they deserve pay according to the sixth pay commission's recommendations. This means, it has been decided to pay the workers according to VI Pay Commission this month. The CCP has to make this payment,” Keshav argued.
However a final decision will be taken after Chief Minister studies the matter.
“The CM has informed us that due to his preoccupation with the ongoing Assembly session he would review the situation only after it ends. The decision should come by August 10-15,” Keshav informed.
He described the decision as a 'temporary' relief for the workers and added that they are only 'partly satisfied'.
‘Corporators created mess’
--- Keshav Prabhu, President of All Goa Municipal Employees Association.
Who, according to you, is responsible for the many irregularities in the CCP?
The corporators have created all this mess. They were elected to generate revenue for the development of the city but failed. Till date, there are no revenue generating proposals from anyone. They are themselves involved in scams.
What is the reason for this mess?
Every issue seems riddled in a scam. There’s no agreement signed on the new market complex, there are scams about pay parking. So also there are around 10 Taleigao panchayat members who are drawing salary from the CCP!
Do you support the demand for a judicial enquiry?
For any inquiry to be conducted fairly, the council has to be dissolved. Secondly before any judicial inquiry, an independent administrator or the commissioner should conduct an inquiry.
Are you confident that the Commissioner would be in a position to investigate these scams?
Yes, I hope so. But, at the same time he should be given free hand and independence to work on his investigation.
What in your opinion is the solution for the problems?
The Corporation should collect revenue from the different places where no rents are collected.
