TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Margao Municipal Council will finally receive a development grant of Rs 2.96 cr, but the government is keen on the civic body proposing a host of major projects which would help boost up the city’s infrastructure.
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza told Herald that he has cleared the file, wherein the government will sanction Rs 2.96 crore to the Civic body to take up minor developmental projects such as gutters, roads etc. “I have cleared the file on the very same day after I visited the MMC on Thursday,” he said.
D’Souza, however, said that the Margao civic body should proposed big projects which can be funded under the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA). “The civic body should propose parking projects, community halls, markets etc. Such projects could help boost up the city’s infrastructure. Instead, we have found out that the Municipality only send proposals for ward level works such as construction and repairs of gutters, roads etc”, he lamented.
The clearance of the file by the Urban Development Minister comes against the backdrop of complaints by the Margao Civic body that it has not received any developmental funds during the last year and half. In fact, the MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva has been on record saying that the Civic body has not received any grants during the last one year and half despite the Municipality forwarding development works to the Director of Municipal Administration for approval.
