Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Aug 14: Barely a month after retired IAS officer Subhash Chandra received a demolition notice from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) for allegedly constructing an illegal wall that blocked a neighbour’s passage, civic workers were spotted cleaning his private garden in Ribandar — sparking allegations of “VIP culture” and misuse of public resources.

According to locals, three to four CCP workers, along with a supervisor, were deployed to remove weeds from Chandra’s backyard. This has raised eyebrows as residents say they have to plead repeatedly for basic cleaning work in their own neighbourhoods.

When contacted, CCP mayor Rohit Monserrate said, “Let the commissioner do an inquiry and find out.” Ward 30 corporator Sandra Da Cunha maintained that the CCP does not normally take up private work, “unless requested by residents when required” within the wards.

Ribandar resident Nitin Nasnodkar, however, alleged bias in civic action. “CCP people were cleaning the personal garden of a Delhi man, Chandra, who built an illegal compound wall blocking windows and an old passage, troubling one old lady in Fondvem. Instead of acting on the demolition order, they are cleaning his personal compound,” he said.

Chandra, who retired in September last year as secretary of the Goa Housing Board and previously served as secretary of social welfare and art and culture, purchased a small house in Ribandar where he has now settled.

For locals busy preparing for Ganesh Chaturthi, the incident has added to their frustration. They claim weed-clearing and roadside cleaning in Ribandar often happens only after festivals, unlike Panaji city where maintenance is more regular. “We hope this year cleaning will be done before the festival, especially around immersion points,” said Nasnodkar.

Residents insist that while ordinary citizens struggle for basic civic amenities, connected individuals seem to get priority treatment.