FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
MARCOS GONSALVES
MARGAO: One hundred seventy five toilets out of 292 are yet to be completed under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a goal for an Open Defecation Free (ODF) in Margao.Margao Municipal Council has already declared their town as ODF long back.
Shockingly, the main file containing all the important documents and transitions goes missing and police are yet to complete the investigation.
The time period given to complete the construction of toilets had come to an end in 2019 itself. Which is why some councillors and citizens have got the stink of a scam
Taking serious note of the issue Councillor Ghanashyam Shirodkar has decided to file a criminal case against all the responsible authorities before the police. Lyndon Pereira, The chairperson of Margao Municipal Council is also of the opinion that the inquiry, besides a re-survey of all the constructed toilets, needs to be initiated.
It was under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan's goal of an Open Defecation Free. Under the scheme related to ODF, the government had sanctioned nearly Rs. 1.13 crore to the MMC. Besides ,other municipalities were also granted the funds under the 14th finance commission in June 2019. The work order of the same was given to International Sulabh Swachalay to construct the toilets.
As informed by the sources of MMC, the council had identified nearly 292 places in order to build the toilets. Shockingly to date only 117 toilets have been constructed in the last two years of time. Sulabh Swachalay has claimed that an additional 34 have been constructed in recent times. However, citizens and even councillors are smelling fraud, alleging payment has been made without verifying the constructed toilets.
IS THE MAIN FILE IN THE TOILET: Does no one in the MMC have any idea about number of toilets constructed and payments made?
Nobody in the council has exact details of the matter, as the main file, which had all the important documents and remarks went missing in October 2020.
Sources said that MMC had filed a police complaint of the missing file on October 21, 2020, stating that the file pertaining to the construction of 292 single-seater pour-flush water seal Latrines with twin leach pits for five users in the jurisdiction of MMC is missing from the office.
It was also stated that the mentioned file was forwarded for payment by the technical section to Chief Officer for approval after complying with observation received by the account section.
The second file indicates that MMC has made a payment of Rs. 43.20 lakh for the Sulabh Swachalay for construction of 117 toilets in 2019. Thereafter the second instalment of Rs. 23.95 lakh was released for the construction of 34 more toilets.
However, there are allegations that practically the structures of the 117 toilets are not noticeable, and misappropriation of the fund granted to MMC.
Speaking to Herald Councillor Ghanashyam Shirodkar said that it is a big scam and he will expose all the concerned involved.
"It has been brought to my notice that there are no 117 toilets constructed as claimed by the MMC officers. There was no watch on the work and nobody bothered to supervise the work. What is surprising is that how come the file, which had all the important documents gone missing from the office. There is something fishy", he alleged.
He informed that when inquired, concerned officers failed to give the required information and also the justifications. "The records pertaining to the payment are missing and it's leading to more doubts", he stated.
Ghanashyam demanded an inquiry into the matter." Chief Officer should initiate the inquiry immediately, besides government needs to take this matter seriously and order an inquiry into the matter", he further demanded.
He also informed that very soon he will be filing a police complaint in these matters.
Lyndon Pereira, Chairperson said that it is a serious matter and he too smells scam in the matter.
"I will ask the Chief Officer to re-survey all the toilets constructed and to verify the bills paid to the contractor", he stated.
