Asserts, it will be prudent to bring revenue and other offices in the new big building to save overheads on maintenance
TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: The new South District Collectorate building was finally inaugurated on Thursday with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar maintaining that it would take minimum three months to stabilize the services and set May 30 as the deadline to complete the shifting in all respects.
Unveiling the plaque in the presence of his deputy Francis D’Souza, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and MLAs and later addressing the gathering after unfurling the national tricolour, Parrikar said the building was not designed properly on the maintenance and security front.
He said the maintenance and security of the building will be a challenge and urged the District Collector N D Agrawal to work out a maintenance scheduled for the building. “This is the best building that has been put in place. My predecessor Digambar Kamat had planned the project. But, it turned out to be a white elephant because the estimated cost of the project was just Rs 59 crore, which has now jumped by Rs 14 crore. It was supposed to be completed on December 2010, but has now been finally inaugurated in February 2013. Such buildings look good, but maintenance is indeed a problem. That’s the reason why I am trying to get all revenue and other offices in the new building to save the overhead costs on maintenance and security,” he said, adding that the around 30-40 policemen will be deployed at the building to maintain round-the-clock vigil.
“This building had a provision for cabin for the Chief Minister with Jacuzzi facility. I got rid of the facility for a bedroom and tub. This may be a good project, but people will benefit only if it is put to good use,” he added.
In his address, Deputy CM and Revenue Minister, Francis D’Souza said that people will benefit from the project only if the Collectorate staff gives good service. “The building plays host to many facilities, but what’s important from the people’s point of view is a good administration. The staff should put up good work. The officials should be people friendly. They have to change their attitude towards citizens. We have to change our work culture,” D’Souza said.
In his address, Fisheries Minster, Avertano Furtado said the new Collectorate building will help solve the hardships faced by people, with almost all the revenue offices housed in one building. He sang praises of the Chief Minister for his efforts to streamline the administration and to make Goa a model state in the country.
Principal Revenue Secretary Piramal Rai welcomed, while District Collector, N D Agrawal proposed the vote of thanks. MLAs Benjamin D’Silva, Caitu Silva, Subhash Faldessai, Rajan Naik, Pramod Sawant and Deputy Speaker Anant Shet were present.
…justifies his decision over names on plaque
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday defended government’s decision to restrict only three names on the South Collectorate building name plaque, saying names of ministers figured on the plaque as per protocol.
The CM made a mention of the controversy during his address, even as former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai and the First Citizen of Margao and MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva stayed away from the inaugural function.
“We had given invitations to everyone. But, according to protocol, only the names of ministers could find mention on the plaque. There are so many VIPs in Salcete, the list would have jumped to 40,” he said.
The CM said he wished well for those who were conspicuous by their absence at the inaugural ceremony and reminded that the previous Congress government had not bothered to invite MLAs for many a function in Panjim despite the fact he was the local MLA.
The issue of names on the plaque had raised a controversy with the MMC Chief Arthur asserting the name of the First Citizen had to be there as per protocol.
The name plaque had only the names of the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza and Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado.
Surprisingly, of the 17 MLAs hailing from South Goa, only six MLAs were conspicuous by their presence, while deputy Speaker Anant Shet and MLA Pramod Sawant were found seated on the dais. Babu Kavlekar was the lone Congress MLA who attended the function.
