Team Herald
PANJIM: Pilerne Citizens Forum (PCF) demanded the resignation and apology from MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar for keeping the locals in the dark by hiding the truth in connection with his stance on the Saligao Waste Treatment Plant.
They claimed that the Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA, who is currently opposing the expansion, had earlier granted permission for the same when GFP was part of the cabinet.
At a media briefing, PCF chose to expose Salgaonkar and pointed out that he had approved the expansion of the Saligao garbage treatment plant at a cabinet meeting, which was held on February 18, 2019.
“Our forum is opposing the garbage treatment plant Saligao. But MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar had approved the expansion at that cabinet meeting during the tenure of former Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar when he was the minister for Housing and RDA,” said Prakash Bandekar.
It may be recalled that last Sunday, the villagers had organised a meeting to oppose the expansion of the plant and at this meeting, Salgaonkar had said he was with the Saligao people in opposing the same.
At the media briefing, with documents in hand as proof, PCF members pointed out how the expansion of the plant from 100 TDP to 250 TDP was approved by the government when Salgaonkar was the minister.
Following the cabinet approval, the Director of Science and Technology Department, Levinson Martins issued an order on March 4, 2019 granting administrative approval and expenditure sanction of the government for the enhancement of the capacity of the plant from 100 TDP to 250 TDP for an estimated cost of Rs 82 15 crores.
Thereupon, the Managing Director (MD) of Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) addressed a letter to the Managing Director of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) on April 12, 2019 on the subject of project management consultancy for the Solid Waste Management Facility.
Thereafter on May 9 2019, the GWMC MD addressed a letter to GSIDC to grant technical sanction.
“These proofs have exposed the reality of MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar and his role in granting permission for the expansion of the garbage plant when he was the cabinet minister. He failed to protect the interest of the villagers. We, therefore, feel that since he has been removed as a minister from the cabinet he is making it seem that he is with the people by opposing it now. This drama is for Rs 82.15 crores, which Jayesh has missed out on despite all his efforts. Now, he is not ready to allow Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo complete this project,” added forum president Bandekar.
