The Rs 3 crore that Margao Municipal Council (MMC) received on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Goa’s Liberation for infrastructure development was the last funds the council got from the State government. MMC has not received any money for development works since then. MMC had planned a multilevel parking project in Margao with these funds and had completed some of the procedures for it. MMC has already paid out nearly around Rs 32 lakh from these funds as licence fees to SGPDA. Sadly, even after having completed the major procedures the file has got caught up in red tape.
The government in October 2011 had released a one-time golden jubilee grant to 13 municipal councils and the CCP on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Liberation. The government had asked the beneficiaries to submit proposals for the project for the town with a revenue model and MMC had finalised the multi-storey parking facility at the old fish market.
Much has transpired since the receipt of these funds. Councillor Avinash Shirodkar told Herald that not a single rupee has been received by MMC for development works.
“The Golden Jubilee Funds of Rs 3 crore came in 2011, Digambar Kamat was the Chief Minister. MMC has not been able to spend even a rupee from this fund, which was to be spent on any project of the public utility with a revenue model,” Avinash said.
Former MMC chairperson, Arthur D’Silva, had planned a parking plaza project in Margao behind the municipality and the foundation for this had been laid by the previous council. “This foundation stone laying ceremony is nearing its first anniversary but no work has been done,” Avinash said. He added, “The funds could have been utilised for the project but some non-significant problems have stopped the same. If this continues I doubt whether the funds will be ever used.”
Councillor Raju Shirodkar said, “The new council will soon complete one year in power but during this year, MMC has not received any money for development works.”
“This has been preventing the start of any development works in the wards,” Raju said. According to the councillor on an average works of nearly Rs 12.5 lakh are pending in every ward and awaiting the nod from the Director of Municipal Administration and all development works are dependent on DMA approvals.
“MMC was supposed to get Rs 3 crore for various development works, but even that has not been received. The need to take up a project, which is useful for people by utilising the Golden Jubilee Funds, has now arisen,” Raju said.
D’Silva, who had taken up the parking project said, “The inauguration of the project is soon to complete one year. The entire procedure has been completed and the licence fees have been paid to SGPDA for the works. MMC is now faced with the situation of renewal of this licence. Only MMC knows where the file is blocked.”
Sources said the file of the signature project has got stuck after the work faced internal council politics.
D’Silva said, “Even Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza has expressed his views for a speedy completion of the project and has advised that it be completed as soon as possible. Sadly, the project file has been caught up in red tape.”
