PANJIM: Trouble does not seem to end for the sacked former Deputy Chief Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar as expelled MGP General Secretary Lavoo Mamletdar has alleged that irregularities were committed by the senior leader during his stint as the Minister for Public Works Department (PWD).
Armed with documents obtained under Right to Information (RTI) Act, Mamletdar charged Dhavalikar with scam worth crores of rupees during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held last year and several other PWD-related works across the State.
Addressing a press conference in the capital on Saturday, the ex-Ponda MLA said that he is in receipt of several complaints against Dhavalikar, all of which would be released in due course of time and forwarded to the investigation agencies.
“During IFFI 2018, works like external painting, maintenance, cleaning, etc were carried out at IFFI venues cost of which was estimated at around Rs 4.34 crore approx. The cost of the flooring at inaugural and closing venue Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium was Rs 24.38 lakh whereas Kala Academy’s flooring had cost Rs 38.43 lakh,” he said claiming the costs were overrated with unsatisfactory work.
A complaint along with documentary evidence, he said, would be filed before the Vigilance Department after the voting for Lok Sabha and by-elections in three assembly constituencies on April 23.
He also reeled off list of incomplete works for which complete payments were made to the contractors concerned during Dhavalikar’s tenure as the PWD minister.
“Tender for a retaining wall at Ponda was issued but where is the wall? I have filed a complaint in this regard. Similarly, in 2014, a tender was issued for constructing a bridge at Madkaim. The contractor was given 7 months for completing the work, but till date, the completion is awaited despite which the former minister released full payment of Rs 8.16 crore to the contractor,” he alleged.
While more complaints into the alleged scams will be filed before the competent authority, Mamletdar said, that his RTI query seeking information regarding Dhavalikar’s Trust irked the former minister. “I have sought list of donors and other details, but no reply has come to me yet,” he said urging Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and present PWD Minister Deepak Pawaskar to intervene at the earliest.
The expelled MGP leader also alleged scam into the recruitment in the PWD stating that while contract workers, attached to the department for several years are denied regularisation, Dhavalikar’s ‘favourites’ are appointed at various posts on regular basis.
