PANJIM: The State government is certain to miss yet another deadline in constructing the new District and Subordinate Courts Complex at Merces. The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved the project, the work order for which was issued by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) without Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) approval.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa had, in September 2015, ordered the government to complete the construction of the court complex at Merces by January 15, 2018, after it missed the deadline of 2015.
Speaking to media persons, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the cabinet has approved construction of new district and subordinate court complex at Merces at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore. “Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation issued the work order during the election code of conduct and that too without Expenditure Finance Committee clearance. It is a major irregularity,” he said.
“In place of Expenditure Finance Committee , cabinet has given approval,” Parrikar said adding that Expenditure Finance Committee has to clear any expenditure above Rs 15 crore in advance.
He said that though the work order was issued, the construction came to standstill in absence of payment to be released post EFC clearance. “Because there was high court order, officers probably in over enthusiasm did it,” he said.
The Chief Minister assured that in next two-three months the work will start and the Environment Impact Assessment study is in progress and the project has already received conversion licence and panchayat NOC.
The High Court while passing the order had said, “The construction shall be completed in such a manner that the actual use of the building can be commenced on January 16, 2018.” Government was asked to submit quarterly reports to the court on the progress made in the construction of the complex.
