The need to streamline the criteria for the concession and management of Turkish Cypriot properties in order to ensure transparency and meritocracy in the concession procedures has been repeatedly expressed from the floor of the House of Representatives by the Minister of Interior himself.
It is with regret that we note that in recent days the Mayor of Paphos, with the usual wit that characterizes him, for reasons that he has to explain, makes unsubstantiated allegations and personal attacks and characterizations against the Minister of Interior.
Implementing the Minister's commitment to streamline the criteria, the Ministry of Interior has prepared a policy proposal with measures and recommendations to modernize their management. On the basis of this document, the criteria for the disposal and management of TC properties were revised in order to ensure transparency, meritocracy and equality. The new criteria have been completed and will be put for discussion before the competent Advisory Committee so that by Easter they will be submitted to the House of Representatives.
As regards the references by the Mayor of Paphos to decisions taken by the Advisory Committee, these were taken strictly on the basis of the information provided by the applicants. Even in cases where the Deputy Director of the T/C Property Management Service did not adopt the recommendations of the Special Committee, this was done in a documented manner.
More specifically, in the three cases of applicants for commercial premises to which the Mayor of Paphos refers, where the Special Committee recommended by a majority to grant them shops, they were not adopted by the Deputy Director of the Service because, during their assessment, it was established that they were applicants who were already professionally rehabilitated, and were therefore at a disadvantage compared to other applicants who had no other income.
In addition, in relation to the case of the hairdresser referred to by Mr Faidonos, we question whether it would be equal justice and meritocracy for the Mayor of Paphos to grant the persons he recommends, when they appear with three times the earnings of the applicant to whom the premises were granted and who declared an intention to use the premises himself.
Therefore, what kind of favouritism and discriminatory behaviour of the T/C Property Management Service is the Mayor of Paphos talking about, when in all cases the decisions were taken strictly on the basis of the applicable criteria?
As for his insults and personal characterizations against the Minister of Interior, because apparently his requests were not met, we leave him to the discretion of the citizens. Everyone is judged by his deeds.
(MB)
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