Team Herald
SANGUEM: The newly elected Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar meant business and this was made amply cleared when he temporarily stopped the ongoing renovation work of the Government Primary Health Centre at Sanguem.
The decade old Primary Health Centre was dilapidating due to lack of regular maintenance, as such, the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) had undertaken renovation of the hospital, including that of the doctor’s quarters.
As of now, the GSIDC through its sub-contractor had completed the renovation work of the hospital quarters and was close to completing the hospital premises with major part of the renovation work being completed.
However, since last three days the renovation work is temporarily stopped reportedly on the orders of Gaonkar who is not very keen on the renovation work, but instead reportedly wants a new premise to house the 20 bedded hospital.
It is also pertinent to note here that in the election manifesto, Gaonkar had promised of a full-fledged hospital in Sanguem.
Immediately after getting elected, Gaonkar alongwith his team of supporters had visited the Sanguem PHC and reportedly stopped the renovation work temporarily.
The final outcome of the stoppage of the renovation work will now be decided on March 25, when the Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar will be in Sanguem for the Shigmotsav celebrations.
Parrikar alongwith Gaonkar are also schedule to visit the Sanguem PHC and take stock of the prevailing situation at the Sanguem PHC where Gaonkar is likely to put his proposal for a full-fledged hospital at Sanguem.
Ironically, there are doubts about Gaonkar’s proposal being accepted by Parrikar as this is not the first time that such a proposal will be made to the chief minister. Similar proposal was made during the last five-year term of the BJP government in Goa but the same was not accepted citing technical reasons.
In the meantime, the hospital roof being exposed to direct sunlight since the past couple of days fears are expressed of damage being caused to the inside walls and the wall fittings of the several decade old structure.
Meanwhile, when Herald contacted Gaonkar for his views on the issue, he claimed that the matter will be decided when Parrikar visits Sanguem on March 25.
