PANAJI: In a bid to ensure that large sections of prime parking space in the city are not occupied by commercial establishments to the detriment of citizens, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has approved a proposal to introduce pay parking on certain streets in the city.

During a discussion on the proposal at the CCP councillors meeting, city commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues said the proposal had been mooted with an aim to bring about some "discipline in parking" in the city.

Rodrigues stated that there were several areas in the city where commercial businesses such as tourist taxis, delivery vehicles and rent-a-bikes were occupying prime parking space.

"Each car-rental (and taxi) operator is bringing more and more cars (near the ferry wharf) preventing anybody else from using the parking space. A pizza company has 20 delivery vehicles. The yellow number plate bikes are occupying parking spaces outside shops in the city and near the post office," he said.

This is private parking which is occupying space that could be used by citizens, he said. He estimated that around 200 such commercial vehicles were occupying parking space.

Some of the areas where the pay parking has been proposed are sections of 18{+t}{+h} June road, road near Don Bosco campus's rear gate, road behind Inox, roads around the Panaji municipal garden and road behind the old secretariat.

The meeting also discussed the steps taken by the CCP to streamline the corporation's accounting procedures. This will enable the corporation to eventually move towards a double accounting system which is necessary to avail of central grants and ensure that funds are not misused.

The commissioner revealed that separate accounts have now been opened as earlier deposits and withdrawal of money was done "from the same kitty".CCP has also approved a proposal to grant CCP staff a golden jubilee bonus of 5,000 which will cost the CCP over 19 lakh. Sources said the CCP currently has a deficit of 20 crore.