Team Herald
MARGAO: Urban Development and Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza has criticized the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) for keeping him in the dark on the municipality’s multi-storey parking project.
Spilling the beans on his absence during the corner-stone laying function on Tuesday, he stated, “The project hasn’t been tendered, no contractor has been appointed, no work orders have been issued, and no official paperwork has been done. I should have been informed about it before my name was put on the invitation card. The project facts were purposely hidden from me.”
D’Souza was asked to be the chief guest for the function, while his name had been put on the plaque. On Monday, former MLA Damu Naik and BJP member Rupesh Mahatme had criticised the MMC for hurriedly inaugurating the project without floating tenders, and had also called it an election gimmick. Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco had replaced D’Souza as the chief guest after the latter failed to turn up.
While attending a municipality function in Quepem, D’Souza was asked why he had not attended the function of MMC. He initially said he was busy with other functions and had to attend the funeral of MLA Caitu Silva’s brother. He later questioned why the corner stone had been laid without following any procedure.
“An identical case has happened in Vasco, where the foundation stone was laid in a hurry and the work has still not started for two years now,” said D’Souza, adding, “MMC had received the Golden Jubilee funds four years back. Why has it failed to use the funds for four long years?”
Recalling an incident that occurred between the urban development ministry and the MMC, D’Souza informed that MMC had “foolishly” sent a proposal for 20 gutters when asked to send a proposal for a signature revenue-generating project to be created with Golden Jubilee funds. The proposal was flatly rejected.
