PORVORIM: Public Works Department Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, alias Sudin, on Friday, categorically stated that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has no trained manpower to undertake maintenance works of public properties like buildings and bridges.
“The maintenance of Goa medical college and hospital was with us…someone came and handed over the same to GSIDC. What are they doing? They have no trained staff to maintain this property,” Dhavalikar told the House.
Minister was speaking during the private member resolution moved by Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane and Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco demanding that government should form the maintenance squad in the PWD to look after all public properties such as bridges, culverts, buildings, etc.
“Government has created many asserts but are poorly maintained and hence there is need to have a full-fledged maintenance squad,” Rane demanded. The resolution was supported by Congress MLA Digambar Kamat and Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Minister said that the department has one of the best trained and qualified engineers under its sub divisions which are also looking after the non-plan works like maintenance.
“I admit that there delays in undertaking maintenance but it because of the administrative issue. As per the new rules we have to seek administrative approvals of the concern department for taking up the maintenance works of the properties. The approvals come with four to five months delay,” he stated.
Dhavalikar said that he would be placing a proposal before Finance Department to amend the Act, wherein the non-plan funds could be directly deposited with the concern heads and powers be vetted with Chief Engineer.
The resolution was withdrawn based on the assurance.
