No scam in water tanks distribution: Churchill

No scam in water tanks distribution: Churchill
Ready to quit politics if people …
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, FEB 8  
Asserting that there’s no scam in the distribution of water tanks by the Public Works department, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao on Tuesday said he is ready to quit politics if majority of the people tells him that his decision to distribute free water tanks was wrong.
“There’s no question of any scam in the water tank distribution. I would have admitted of a scam if the tanks were not distributed to the people”, he said, while asserting that the water tanks were distributed by following the tendering process.
Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, the PWD Minister further said there is no question of discontinuing with the exercise of distributing the water tanks, saying nothing hanky panky is involved in the exercise. “There’s a complaint before the police on the distribution of water tanks. Let the police come out with the facts”, he said, adding that he would place before the public all facts relating to the water tank distribution at the right time.
When newsmen questioned that the tanks have been distributed sans a scheme and without setting any criteria, Alemao shot back “Whether there was a scheme or not, I will make it public at the right time. All I know for the moment, is that the poor and the downtrodden affected by water supply has been benefited by the exercise”.
Replying to another question, the PWD Minister said he has enough powers under the maintenance head to purchase the water tanks and distribute to the people.
Giving a background to the exercise, Alemao said the PWD has been distributing the water tanks since the last two years, adding that people in almost all the constituencies have benefited by the tanks. “Even the Fatorda MLA Damu Naik had asked me for the water tanks. It’s another question that the tanks were not given to the Fatorda MLA”, he said and challenged to prove that he has pocketed any money by not distributing the tanks to the poor beneficiaries.
Lashing out at the Fatorda MLA for criticizing him for distributing rice, dal and oil to the poor in Navelim, Alemao demanded to know who is Damu Naik to question him for his gesture. “People like Damu should realize that I have been distributing ration for the poor and downtrodden since the last several years, irrespective whether I have been in power or not”, Alemao said, and asserted that those who want to keep the poor always poor have no right to be in politics. “Even Damu was not supported by his own Party MLAs in the House when he was shouting in the House”, he added.