Mickky promises to blow lid off PWD functioning

Mickky promises to blow lid off PWD functioning
To demand CBI probe in last three years road construction
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, AUG 17
Alleging corruption in the Public Works Department (PWD), former Tourism Minister, Mickky Pacheco has said he will file a public interest litigation (PIL) in the High Court to demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the construction of roads in the State during the last three years.
Briefing newsmen, Pacheco said that a vigilance inquiry into the road construction will not yield any results since the Vigilance Department is headed by the chief minister. “Along with the drug nexus and excise scam, road construction by the PWD should also be handed over to the CBI”, he demanded.
Pacheco said he would pray to the High Court to order a CBI inquiry to probe into all roads constructed since the last three years.
Rejecting outright Churchill’s claim that roads in Benaulim are bad because the legislator has not come to him with proposals, Pacheco showed documents to prove that he had submitted around 19 road proposals since 2007, but not a single road was tendered by the PWD till date. “The files were stuck in the PWD. Nothing was done on the files. On the contrary, the PWD minister is blaming me for neglect of the roads”, Pacheco said and reminded Alemao that a minister should not expect a legislator to come to his house with proposals.
Saying that the PWD is bound to process the files submitted by the legislators, Pacheco said the PWD even kept on hold the file relating to the approach roads to the Majorda road under bridge. “Though the bridge was completed in May, the approach roads are yet to laid by the PWD”, he asserted.
Asserting that road built under then PWD Minister, Sudin Dhavlikar are still in good condition in his constituency, Pacheco, however expressed shock that many roads built just four months back, including the road opposite the Old Market court building, are lying in dilapidated condition.
“There are many discrepancies in road construction, including tenders. This government should have looked into each and every road built three years back”, he said.
Saying that he is not blaming the contractors for bad condition of roads, the former minister said the ‘percentage culture’ has forced many a contractor to use less material for road construction.
Asked whether Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is unaware of the happenings in the PWD, Pacheco said “The CM is aware what is happening deep down his heart, but is silent to save his government and his chair”.
Pacheco further came down heavily on Churchill, who also holds the Rural Development agency (RDA) portfolio, for taking up RDA works amounting to Rs 2.5 crore in his Navelim constituency by neglecting other constituencies. “Even the file pertaining to the Betalbatim Panchayat Ghar is lying unattended for the last three years”, he added.
He also took strong objection to Churchill’s remarks that henceforth certain individuals would look after road work in Benaulim constituency, saying this only goes to show the state of affairs in the administration.
Colva Zilla Panchayat member Nelly Rodrigues said many files are pending in the PWD and Finance and reminded that Churchill had promised to give a Christmas gift to the people of Majorda by completing the road under bridge last year, but in vain.
Majorda Sarpanch Visitation D’Silva and Benaulim Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes told newsmen that files relating to road and other works are pending with the PWD without any rhyme or reason.