Team Herald

PANJIM: Terming the entire illumination contract of the third Mandovi bridge (Atal Setu) awarded by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) to L&T as a multi-crore scam and in violation of the original contract, the Congress on Sunday served an eight-day deadline on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to register the first information report (FIR) in the case. Failing which, the party has threatened to approach the concerned investigating forum. 

Addressing media persons, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar sought action against those involved in the alleged corruption and urged the Chief Minister to inquire in depth the role of former GSIDC vice chairman Sidharth Kuncalienker, who was at the forefront to hatch the conspiracy. 

Chodankar alleged that while L&T purchased the streetlight poles and LED fixtures at Rs 7.3 crore, it has billed GSIDC a whopping amount of Rs 45 crore for the same. 

Chodankar said L&T had purchased the streetlight poles and LED fixtures from a Bangalore-based NERI Lighting Pvt Ltd. 

"According to the GST return filed by NERI about the purchase of the said items, the total cost comes to around Rs 7.3 crore. However, the same company has submitted bills, without mentioning the actual payment to L&T," he charged. 

Further, Chodankar pointed out that as per the GST submission, the price of each streetlight pole comes to around Rs 72,750, however, the L&T has billed the same pole at Rs 1.53 lakh. Similarly, he said that light fixtures, which are billed at Rs 1.97 lakh per pole, have been originally charged at Rs 59,653. 

Chodankar alleged that the GSIDC had deviated from the original contract inked with L&T, in which Corporation had originally stated that all the street poles and light fixtures would be purchased by it and not by L&T. 

"This is a clear case of corruption. GSIDC has hatched criminal conspiracy against State government. Complete manipulation and forgery done for personal gain," he charged.