Panjim commissioner faces action over footbridge
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 4
Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao on Wednesday told Goa Assembly that action would be taken within a month against Commissioner of Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) who awarded the contract for construction of footbridge at Miramar near Sharada Mandir without following procedures laid down.
Joaquim made the statement during “Question Hour” as he came under sever attack from Opposition members who alleged that frauds were committed by CCP but no action has been taken, till now.
In this case, M/s Prakash Arts Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad was awarded the contract under Public Private Partnership (PPP) with concession period of 15 years. The estimated work of the project is 140 lakh and the stipulated date of completion was September 3 but now extended until September 30, 2010.
Fatorda MLA Damu Naik, who posed the question about the controversial project, pointed out that no guidelines were followed while awarding the contact.
Though Joaquim was not able to explain the criteria for selecting M/s Prakash, he admitted that proper procedure was not followed while approving the project by CCP. The government had not granted permission for the project, he clarified.
Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar who was very critical of CCP, said even under PPP certain criteria has to be followed “but CCP is doing otherwise.” For them, PPP probably means Panjim Po Participation, ridiculed Parrikar.
“There is corruption in everything they do. There has to be some limit to corruption practices,” he said and demanded action from Joaquim even as the minister assured that the tender would be cancelled as proper procedure was not followed.
Intervening at this point, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said a cell has been constituted to guide the councils when they undertake projects under PPP mode and that Joaquim would issue directions to all municipal councils to consult the cell while approving projects under PPP mode.
