CUNCOLIM: Refuting allegations levelled against him regarding the proposed Chinchinim sports complex cum panchayat building project, Velim MLA Benjamin Silva said he never opposed any development work and added that on the contrary he is striving hard for welfare of the constituency.
Speaking to Herald, Silva said some political opponents are dragging him unnecessary into the Chinchinim panchayat building and sports complex controversy.
Silva said, “I never interfere in local politics if villagers want the sports complex cum panchayat ghar I have extended my support. Some rejected politicians and their supporters are opposing the proposed project. ”
It may be recalled that some Chinchinim panchas had alleged that MLA is hesitating to carry out development in Chinchinim. Silva said, people of Velim have witnessed the development he has done.
Speaking on the controversial panchayat cum sports complex, one of the villagers Charlton Furtado blamed the sarpanch and the panchayat for allegedly keeping the panchayat cum sports complex in cold storage. Due to unnecessary objections the multi utility project has been left abandoned, he further alleged.
The Chinchinim village panchayat had acquired 9,000 sq mts in 2005. Since then the project has been surrounded by controversies. According to the revised plan, the project was on the tendering status even the gram sabha and the panchayat had adopted a resolution to build the project.
Furtado said at every gram sabha he had sought know the project status. It looks like panchayat is dragging its feet out on the issue and not MLA.
Furtado further informed that MLA Silva never intervened in the local development. It’s we the villagers, who had proposed for the panchayat ghar cum sports complex with indoor hall, library, recreational activities facilities including a gym and a swimming pool.
“We had a revised plan to put market complex at some other place close to ground. Some of the panchas and local politicians had promised some shops and that is the reason that they are opposing the proposed sports complex and panchayat ghar project,” he alleged.
