Duringthe assembly elections the front page of the manifesto of former MLA Damu Naik carriedan aerial view of a much touted swanky 100-metre promenade with azulejos tiles,anti-skid flooring and wrought iron benches. Damu promised that the same kindof promenade would be extended from the Holy Spirit to Curtorim junction.
Postpolls, the new MLA Vijai Sardessai has disclosed that land acquisition of thefootball ground for the promenade was carried out privately and not done byPWD.
LAQsin the legislative assembly has also revealed that these works were notsponsored by the adjacent Goa State Co-opeartive Bank or Union Bank of India asclaimed by Damu Naik.
"Iam surprised that the Borda promenade which was much advertised by the previousMLA, is now claimed to be carried out through a private contractor and not bythe PWD. This looks like a scam where the government was held to ransom andexchequer’s money was diverted for unnecessary work,” said Fatorda MLA, VijaySardessai.
“Iwill take up this matter with the vigilance since the works of this promenadeamounts to Rs 40 lakhs. As mentioned in the BJP manifesto this promenade shouldbe from Holy Spirit to Sonsoddo or else they should accept that the 100 meterswas done to cheat people,” Sardessai asserted.
Shockinglythe then PWD assistant engineer P M Naik had no clearance from ElectionCommission to do this work which was done during the code of conduct.
“Thecurrent MLA should prove his worth and get the work done. There is no law tostop me from getting an area in my constituency beautified through charityfunds. Don’t private contractors beautify traffic islands. The excuse ofraising the promenade issue is an eyewash to cover negligence and failure ofthe current MLA,” said GSUDA vice chairman and former MLA Damu Naik.
