PANJIM: As more and more information surfaces on how the tax payers’ tax money has been defrauded, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Monday was stunned at the fact that only 250 cameras are installed in the entire Panjim City under Smart city works at a cost of Rs 250 crore. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV spoke to people whether the 250 cameras should be produced before the people? And whether there should be a proper criminal and vigilance inquiry into the Smart City works?
The inventory of all the cameras put in the city should be done. All the locations should be mentioned. If they have not been put up, it should be accounted for. It’s only vigil by the people and action by the government that we will be able to stem the corruption that his gripped Goa.
Dr Sabina Martins, Women’s Activist
The cameras that have been put in the city, you are charging Rs 1 crore per camera. Imagine the level of corruption that has been reached. Rs 10,000 to 20,000 camera has been quoted at such a high price. Who is pocketing this money. The tax payers, they need the answers. On every item there is a lot and commission.
Avertino Miranda, Green Activist
This is a day light robbery. There must be a vigilance inquiry. The cameras put in the city amounts to Rs 1 crore each. This is a day light robbery. Now a criminal complaint should be filed with the police or the CBI. The Congress party has to act, file a complaint and pursue it. The present CEO and directors of Smart City must bear the responsibility.
Rui Ferreira, Advocate
Rao Engineers have done third rate work. We have videos of all the sub standard work. His payments should be kept on hold. Now they have purchased 250 cameras for Rs 250 crores, so each camera will cost Rs 1 crore. Even if you purchase cameras made of gold, you will get 10 cameras for Rs 1 crore. There should be an inquiry. I have demanded a financial audit and quality audit. Government will have to do it, since this is people’s money.
Uday Madkaikar, CCP Councillor
It is laughable that 250 cameras have been purchased for Rs 250 crores. Even if you Google the best branded cameras are available for less than Rs 5 lakh. You can work out the math and guess where the remainder of the money has gone. Who got the commissions? There is a giant washing machine. You can put any amount of scams in it, after a little noise when the dirt is washed away all is clean. Many scams have gone under the carpet. Even this scam will be forgotten. Will anyone be held guilty. Huge amounts of tax payers money has been wasted on the Smart City. In fact it is not a Smart City, it’s a Smart Sh**y.
Mariano Ferrao, Social Activist
The inventory of all the cameras put in the city should be done. All the locations should be mentioned. If they have not been put up, it should be accounted for. It’s only vigil by the people and action by the government that we will be able to stem the corruption that his gripped Goa.
Dr Sabina Martins, Women’s Activist
The cameras that have been put in the city, you are charging Rs 1 crore per camera. Imagine the level of corruption that has been reached. Rs 10,000 to 20,000 camera has been quoted at such a high price. Who is pocketing this money. The tax payers, they need the answers. On every item there is a lot and commission.
Avertino Miranda, Green Activist
This is a day light robbery. There must be a vigilance inquiry. The cameras put in the city amounts to Rs 1 crore each. This is a day light robbery. Now a criminal complaint should be filed with the police or the CBI. The Congress party has to act, file a complaint and pursue it. The present CEO and directors of Smart City must bear the responsibility.
Rui Ferreira, Advocate
Rao Engineers have done third rate work. We have videos of all the sub standard work. His payments should be kept on hold. Now they have purchased 250 cameras for Rs 250 crores, so each camera will cost Rs 1 crore. Even if you purchase cameras made of gold, you will get 10 cameras for Rs 1 crore. There should be an inquiry. I have demanded a financial audit and quality audit. Government will have to do it, since this is people’s money.
Uday Madkaikar, CCP Councillor
It is laughable that 250 cameras have been purchased for Rs 250 crores. Even if you Google the best branded cameras are available for less than Rs 5 lakh. You can work out the math and guess where the remainder of the money has gone. Who got the commissions? There is a giant washing machine. You can put any amount of scams in it, after a little noise when the dirt is washed away all is clean. Many scams have gone under the carpet. Even this scam will be forgotten. Will anyone be held guilty. Huge amounts of tax payers money has been wasted on the Smart City. In fact it is not a Smart City, it’s a Smart Sh**y.
Mariano Ferrao, Social Activist
