l Severe manpower crunch has jeopardized pre monsoon work l Daily wages of Rs 300 unacceptable for workers
TEAM HERALD
Even as the Oppositions cried foul over non-commencement of pre-monsoon works, the civic body claims it has completed 85 percent of work despite shortage of labour force.
The work has begun on war-footing with every ward being systematically taken care of, Corporation of City of Panjim claims.
“The pre-monsoon work has already started by the CCP and as of now, 85 percent work is completed. We expect to conclude the work by month-end,” CCP Deputy Mayor Kabir Pinto Makhija said.
Tremendous shortage of manpower to work on daily pay had crippled the CCP’s pre-monsoon plans. Though delayed, the Goa State Infrastructure development corporation (GIDC) has recently allocated 10-15 workers in addition to 20 workers, already on the job for cleaning, de-silting, and repairing the drains and roadside gutters.
The Corporation has nonetheless formed two separate teams who have already undertaken pre-monsoon works. Sources said the teams have been tasked with ensuring quick work in the low lying areas besides concentrating at Campal, Caranzalem, Church Square and other places.
Nearly a week ago, the opposition councilors had gheraoed Mayor Surendra Furtado complaining about the non-completion of the work to which the latter had cited manpower shortage. One of the reasons is that a meagre Rs 300 daily wage is unacceptable to the workers who are demanding hike in daily payment.
