PORVORIM
Two hearse vans donated to the Reis Magos and Nerul panchayats at a cost of Rs 36 lakh have been virtually ‘dead on arrival’ as both vehicles are lying unused since they arrived at the two locations over two months ago.
The reason is simple. Both vehicles are yet to be registered by the RTO and fingers are already being pointed at different directions. A shocked Saligao MLA Kedar Naik has now intervened in the matter.
Union Minister Shripad Naik had donated two hearse vans costing Rs 35 lakh under MPLAD funds on November 15, 2023 to the Reis Magos and Nerul panchayats. Both vehicles are lying unused for over two months.
The hearse van which was delivered at Reis Magos is lying unused at the Electricity Department near the football ground.
Social activist Rajesh Dabholkar said it was shameful that the hearse van given to the Reis Magos panchayat was lying unused for over two months.
“The Reis Magos panchayat appears least bothered about the hearse van and has not done anything to get it registered,” he said.
When contacted, Reis Magos Panch Subhash Pednekar said it is responsibility of the office of the Deputy Collector to register the vehicle.
“The panchayat has already passed a resolution to recruit a driver for the hearse van,” said Pednekar.
When contacted, Saligao MLA Kedar Naik said he was shocked to learn that both hearse vans had not been registered for over two months.
“When I contacted the office of Dy Collector regarding this matter, I was informed that the panchayat did not submit one document which is required for the registration of the van,” said Naik.
“I have advised the panchayat to submit the required document to the Dy Collector’s office and get the hearse van registered as early as possible. It has also been decided to construct a separate shed near the Betim ferry wharf to park the vehicle,” said Naik.
