PORVORIM: The independent MLAs — Rohan Khaunte and Vijai Sardesai — on Wednesday, on the Floor of the House, cornered the government over needless amount spent on the consultants appointed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC). Government found itself at the back foot for justifying the need for the consultants.
The opposition legislators also questioned government’s intention to award a consultancy work of the third Mandovi Bridge to a tainted firm, whose designed flyover in Gandhinagar in Gujarat had collapsed in 2014. The MLA also noted that the steel used for the construction of the bridge is corroded and sub standard. Here too, BJP-led government preferred not to comment stating that it is the lookout of the ‘Gujarat government’.
During the Question Hour, Khaunte moved a breach of privilege motion against the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, for providing incomplete answers to the question pertaining to the consultancy of GSIDC.
The MLA sought to know the total amount spent by government on consultants appointed by GSIDC since 2012 till date. He informed the House that the GSIDC, which is a vehicle designed to undertake major infrastructural work is now been entrusted with the works parallel to PWD and Electricity, which includes hot mixing and resurfacing of roads, interlocking pavements of temples and electrifications in schools.
Trying to defend GSIDC, Parsekar said that the corporation has spent only Rs 48.61 crores on the consultants in last four years for nearly 300-odd infrastructural works. “GSIDC don’t have enough qualified engineers. Their number is only 52-53 and it is not feasible for them to design all the projects as it would be time consuming. Also GSIDC is not in position to recruit large number of engineers in one go,” he explained.
Parsekar said that the consultant not only provides consultancy but also prepares the estimates, detail project report and also certifies the bill payments.
Countering the chief minister, Khaunte said that certification of bills by consultant is in violation of the central vigilance commission guidelines. The MLA sought to know as who will be held accountable or responsible for default project or works, placing some photographs before the House on the corroded steel of the new under construction bridge.
Not clear in the answer, Chief Minister said based on the fault, the responsibility would be fixed on GSIDC or consultant or the contractor.
