MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
CANACONA, APRIL 6
Canacona Municipal Council’s recent publication of tenders running into lakhs of rupees pertaining to works in municipal wards seem to have run into rough weather with citizens claiming the works are carried out in private properties without obtaining non-revocable NOCs.
It may be recalled that in November, last year, CMC had floated tenders for seven types of developmental works, worth over Rs 52 lakh, in seven municipal wards with the funds obtained from the government under ‘Grant-in-Aid’ scheme.
As some of the works are yet to begin, one A U Dessai of Ponsulem has shot-off two letters to the CMC chief officer.
Dessai objected for black topping and laying inter-blocks near his house and a second letter for seeking copies of affidavit-cum-irrevocable NOCs obtained from the concerned parties before publication of tenders pertaining to various works tendered by the civic body under RTI Act 2005.
Citing a government circular from the Directorate of Vigilance, Dessai who is the former chairman of Canacona Farmers Cooperative Society, told Herald that works in private properties can be carried out only after obtaining ‘Irrevocable NOC’ from the concerned land owners.
“Besides, if any local self governing body intends to execute civil works within the jurisdiction of PWD or any other government departments, it is mandatory that a certificate from PWD or other concerned government department is obtained before tendering of works to avoid duplication of works,” stated Dessai.
He further said CMC is eating on its citizen’s private property by not adhering to any of the conditions before execution of works in private properties.
“There is every possibility of pilferage of government funds by claiming funds for the works through different departments,” alleged Dessai.
When contacted, sources in CMC informed that several tenders were published in the past and works have been completed without obtaining NOCs from landowners and any of the government departments like PWD to avoid duplication of works.
When contacted, CMC Chairperson Shamsunder Dessai denied of doing anything wrong, as these developmental works are carried out for the benefit of residents in their respective wards.
“If any resident from any area has any problem against taking up developmental works, we may drop it henceforth,” Dessai told Herald.
Responding to complainant’s from Ponsulem, represented by himself, the chairperson told Herald that locals from the area themselves have proposed laying of inter-locking pavers on traditional path and CMC agreeing to the demands have obtained funds from GIA.
“Some of the works have not yet commenced and if people really don’t want those works to be carried out, it will not be taken up,” added the chairperson.
“As for technicalities, it is for the municipal’s administration to comply with it, but given political affiliations raising its ugly head in different forms, it is likely that some important works undertaken by the civic body may never see the light of the day,” said Dessai.
