PONDA: Voicing its opposition to the construction of government guesthouse project at Curti by spending around Rs 1.30 crore, Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) on Monday claimed that the existing guesthouses at Dhavalim and Opa are lying unused and hence the construction of yet another guesthouse would be waste of money.

Ponda MGP leader Ketan Bhatikar along with Block President Anil Naik and Bhika Kerkar addressing media persons said, “The guesthouse would turn into a white elephant and so State should convert it into government office building.

He said, “Instead of spending money on an unwanted project the government should spend money on improving facilities at the Sub District Hospital such as emergency services, doctors and ICU available in Goa Medical College and Hospital, at Bambolim.

“By December this year, if government fails to spend money in improving medical facilities at Ponda Sub District Hospital then MGP would oppose unnecessary development work taken by government,” he warned.

He appealed to the government to spend money on improving health, agriculture, water supply, education and by providing basic facilities to the farmers.

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister during a recent inspection of the guest house had assured to sanction Rs 1.30 crore for completing the project.

Bhatikar demanded that government should take the farmers into confidence before spending Rs 100 crore on the new sugar factory.

“Farmers should be provided with their pending amount and there should be proper schemes for encouraging sugarcane production before the new plant is set up. Cooperation Minister should sit with the farmers and explain to them how he would convert this loss making unit into profit making unit by investing Rs 100 crore by setting up a new sugar factory.”