Alleges scam in water tank distribution, demands JAC probe
PANJIM, FEB 2
The PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, who was treated with kid-gloves by the Opposition during last three and half years in Goa Assembly, was in for a surprise today as the party not only alleged a scam in the distribution of water tanks by the PWD but demanded enquiry through Joint Assembly Committee (JAC).
In what could be termed as first ever fierce clash between BJP and PWD Minister, the House witnessed chaos during ‘Question Hour’ on Wednesday as Fatorda MLA Damu Naik hurled accusations at Alemao over distribution of water tanks even as later offered to resign if charge levelled against him is proved correct.
“I’ll resign if it is proved that I have taken even a single rupee. I have worked with pure intention of helping people who were suffering due to water shortage,” said Alemao while responding to allegation by the Fatorda MLA. The Fatorda legislator had tabled a question on whether a scheme was formulated by PWD for distribution of water tanks, and whether the cabinet approval was taken before deciding to distribute water tankers to people.
While in his written reply the PWD Minister stated that the scheme was formulated for distribution of water tankers, the same was not attached to the answer sheet.
The administrative approval was obtained but not cabinet approval, the minister said in his written reply.
However, he told the House that the decision was taken by him using emergency power vested in him.
The department has so far incurred expenditure to the tune of Rs 99.73 lakh in distribution of water tanks wherein BPL families, the consumers of high elevated areas and tail areas which face scarcity of water, and beneficiaries identified by the local elected representatives, were considered for distribution of tanks, he said in his reply.
The Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar however said the criteria was not adequate as it means all consumers in Porvorim ought to get water tanks as the area is considered as high elevated area and residents there do not get regular water supply.
Moreover, Parrikar pointed out that the PWD Minister could not have used his emergency power for distribution of water tanks, “it could be used for supplying water through tankers.”
‘In fact, the power which the minister is talking about is limited to the decision about purchases and not distribution of tanks.
The cabinet meeting was warranted because he was distributing government property,” stated Opposition leader.
The Opposition also demanded that the minister should keep the scheme on the table of the House if at all it was formulated, cornering Alemao as they refused to buy his justification he had purely worked in the interest of people and that he was innocent.
Parrikar said, the PWD minister should agree for JAC if he has nothing to hide even as Alemao claimed that he used his power to take the decision in question.
“I prove that you have had no power in distributing water tanks,” retorted Parrikar.
While Alemao declined to accede to the demand of to the Opposition for a JAC enquiry, the Fatorda MLA stuck to his stand that he wanted ‘JAC’ alleging scam of Rs 4-5 crore in the distribution of water tanks.
What followed was chaos as Alemao and Naik ridiculed each other despite warning from the Speaker Pratapsing Rane. The assurance of the minister that he would formulate a scheme if the Opposition wants so did not deter Fatorda MLA and he rushed to the well of the House.
Intervention by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat who clarified that the decision of distribution of tanks was taken under maintenance clause and the ‘intension of the minister is not to be doubted,” did not satisfy the Fatorda MLA.
