PANAJI
The State government has sanctioned projects worth Rs 29 crore across 17 Assembly constituencies, including two ruled by the Opposition under the MLA-LAD (Local Area Development) scheme. The sanction was granted during the first State Level Scheme Sanction Committee (SLSSC) meeting held recently.
This is the first sanction under the scheme since it was notified in December 2022 to enable legislators to undertake various works as deemed necessary in their respective constituencies. Under the scheme, the MLAs can get projects worth Rs 2.5 crore sanctioned annually.
The sanctioned projects basically involve repair and construction of roads and bridges, construction of retaining and protection wall, fixing of pavements, improvement of water drainage system, development of parking spaces, etc.
The works are sanctioned in the constituencies of Sanquelim, Mayem, Bicholim, Valpoi, Poriem, Mapusa, Navelim, Nuvem, St Cruz, St Andre, Shiroda, Sanvordem, Marcaim, Quepem, Sanguem, Mandrem and Cortalim.
A maximum of Rs 4.11 cr works are approved to MLA Rudolf Fernandes’s St Cruz constituency, followed by Rs 3.58 cr works in Valpoi constituency of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. More than Rs two crore works are also been sanctioned in Bicholim (2.80cr), Mayem (2.65cr), Navelim (2.50cr), Mapusa (2.24cr) and Marcaim (2.15cr).
In constituencies like St Andre and Quepem -- both ruled by the Opposition -- works of hardly Rs 2 lakhs and five lakhs are sanctioned, while sources informed that more DPR preparation is under process.
Sources said that under the scheme, only those works would be undertaken which otherwise may not be able to be taken up as a revenue/capital work through the public works department.
Sources said that the department is currently preparing the estimates for several other works in the constituencies of Margao, Fatorda, Mormugao, Dabolim, Priol, Canacona and Curchorem.
As per the procedure, each MLA has to submit the proposal for in principle approval of the PWD Minister. Once the proposal gets the in principle approval of the Minister the proposal is submitted to the concerned works divisions of the PWD for preparation of detailed estimate and for the technical sanction of the competent authority.
The proposals submitted by the MLAs shall be processed subject to the condition that it is for the benefit of the general public and not for any single beneficiary.
