VASCO: Niz Goenkar Revolution Front has strongly objected to the utilisation of Rs 23 crore Fourteenth Finance Commission funds to construct three key projects in Vasco which includes the much-awaited fish market project.
The Front in a written complaint letter to the Director of Municipal Administration has called for reverting the funds back from GSUDA and utilise the same for developmental works in all wards. The three projects have hit a roadblock.
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The Front on Saturday informed Herald that it has filed a complaint letter to the DMA asking it to return the funds to Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), which was transferred to GSUDA to carry out key projects.
When asked why it took up the issue, Chandrashekhar Vast, member of Niz Goenkar Revolution Front said, “The Fourteenth Finance Commission funds come from Central government and are given to the municipal councils to undertake developmental works and not for State government projects. By utilising this money for the three projects, and not using them for development-related works in all 25 wards, the authorities are misusing the funds,” Vast claimed.
He said there are several pending issues in port town, to name few, pavers are not laid in all wards, there is no proper drainage system in place, parking issue has not been resolved, CCTV cameras are not functioning and children’s parks are in shambles. MMC should focus on first maintaining and sorting out these issues and then should take up public projects by utilising municipal funds and not the Central government’s funds.
MMC chairperson Nandadeep Raut said, “There are Rs 9 crore worth developmental works in the pipeline. Several public works in all wards have been completed. Thrice, I met Chief Minister, Director of Municipal Administration and GSUDA officials along with few other councillors and discussed the issue. The necessary process and documents are ready. All councillors are supporting these projects. Fish market complex and renovation of municipal building will benefit the people from all wards. If still there are other works then those can be carried out under the 15th Finance Commission funds worth Rs 30 crore which the MMC is likely to receive.”
