MARGAO: In a shocking revelation, the GSUDA has claimed that their contractor had already handed over the renovated Lohia Maidan to the Margao Municipal Council, contrary to the Council’s claim of not receiving possession till March 23, as revealed by an RTI application.
This led to the 113th birth anniversary of national hero Dr Ram Manohar Lohia being celebrated in a low-key manner, forcing freedom fighters and the 18th June Kranti Din Samiti to scale back on their celebrations. The Shadow Council for Margao, which sought details under the RTI Act, has condemned the MMC for playing truant with the freedom fighters on the occasion. SCM Convener Savio Coutinho has come down heavily on the Margao Municipal Council, accusing them of acting like puppets at the hands of local leaders.
Coutinho revealed that they had noticed no work happening at the Lohia Maidan for the last few months, and the renovation appeared to be fully completed. To their surprise, GSUDA stated that the premises were already in the possession of the Council. Coutinho expressed anguish that their representatives had sacrificed the birth anniversary of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, , as there could have been no better day to inaugurate the renovated premises. Even Avinash Shirodkar, President of 18th June Kranti Din Samiti, was unaware that the premises were already handed over to MMC. Radha Kavlekar, former Councillor and daughter-in-law of late freedom fighter Kumudini Kavlekar, slammed those responsible for not giving due respect to the freedom fighter. SCM has demanded that the renovated premises be put for public use on priority, failing which they shall go ahead with a “people’s inauguration ceremony”.
