PANAJI: Panaji corporators expressed their apprehensions about the alleged breach of citizens’ privacy because of the ongoing GIS (geographical information system) mapping of properties, carried out by an agency appointed by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA). However, mayor Rohit Monserrate said that the corporation may not get central grants if the GIS mapping criterion is not met.
The corporators alleged that officials participating in this activity are persuading residents to allow the mappers inside homes. The officials are presenting a letter from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and asserting that they have been authorised by the corporators to carry out this task, the corporation members said at the CCP meeting held on Tuesday.
Former mayor Uday Madkaikar said, “The GIS mapping activities have overstepped boundaries. How can they be allowed inside people’s houses?”
Corporators Prasad Amonkar and Kabir Pinto Makhija, raised concerns about the safety of senior citizens residing alone in their homes. They called for a review of the methods employed by the agency to ensure that the privacy of Panaji residents is protected.
Monserrate said the mapping involves a door-to-door survey of properties for collecting data relevant to property tax assessment and other allied fields as needed by govt. He said that central govt might deny grants to the CCP under the 15th Finance Commission if the GIS mapping obligation is not met. “A Maharashtra-based agency is conducting GIS mapping under GSUDA. I will convey your grievance to GSUDA and take necessary measures,” Monserrate told the corporators.
