TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
MARGAO: Caught on the wrong foot for not making any payments to the consultant appointed for capping the Sonsodo site, the Margao Municipal Council found itself in a tearing hurry to arrange part payments for the Kerala-based consultant.
Sources in the know said that the civic body has finally decided to make part payment, around 40 per cent of the total consultancy fees to Gopalkrishnan. The sudden hurry displayed by the civic body comes against the backdrop of the inordinate delay by the consultant to submit his report on the capping project.
“The civic body has now decided to pay Rs 1.40 lakh to the consultant. The cheque will soon be issued to the consultant,” remarked a Municipal official.
Sources said that the consultant has till date not submitted his report, including the cost implications. In the absence of the report, the civic body was handicapped in approaching the government for funds required to cap the dumping site.
Herald understands that the civic body had failed to pay any fees to the Kerala-based consultant since his appointment a year ago. Though Gopalkrishan had come out with two-three recommendations, he had delayed in submitting the financial implications of the project.
Incidentally, Urban Development Minister, Francis D’Souza had told the Civic body during his visit to the Sonsodo site a week ago that the Municipality should complete the capping work before coming May.
Interestingly, the Margao civic body is yet to appoint a consultant for verifying the bills submitted by Fomento Green on the installation of the solid waste management plant at Sonsodo.
