Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardesai speaking during discussion on grants for Transport Department. Captured by : Narayan Pissurlenkar
PANAJI
Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardesai took a jibe at the government for allowing plying of 62 per cent of the total ‘unsafe’ Kadamba buses against the backdrop of notifying the Vehicle Scrapping Policy.
During a discussion on the grants for the Transport Department, the MLA revealed the plight of the Kadamba buses despite the government’s tall claims of revamping the public transport system under the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited.
“The government’s Vehicle Scrapping Policy will largely involve the KTCL because 62 per cent of its buses have exceeded 15 years. This means passengers travelling in KTCL buses are not safe,” Sardesai said.
He further pointed out records of the last 12 years wherein Kadamba buses suffered 687 breakdowns whereas 29 buses needed repairs more than five times. "The Corporation is incapable to hold periodical maintenance of its buses," he alleged.
The legislator also questioned a three-fold increase in ‘repair charges’ within a gap of one year stating that the amount escalated from Rs 1.82 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 5.48 crores in 2022-23.
Polluting industries
Seven months on, the government has failed to pursue registration of a First Information Report (FIR) into the major fire at M/s Berger Becker Coating Pvt Ltd. The matter was raised by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo during a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday as he feared the blaze could have risked the lives of several hundred families and their properties located close to the Pilerne Industrial Estate.
“The flammable liquid was stored in the tank and despite gross negligence by the factory, there is no FIR yet. The fire could have engulfed the village where houses are located barely 50 mtrs from the IDC,” Lobo said. In view of this mishap, he demanded that industries be shifted to non-residential areas.
A government investigation into the massive fire around 2:45 pm on January 10, 2023, had ruled out foul play but highlighted the Company’s failure to provide hands-on training to its factory workers, whose timely intervention could have prevented the fire from spreading in the premises.
The report also held the company’s occupier Sunil Sharma and Manager Rajesh Mehrotra accountable for not taking all practicable measures to prevent the outbreak and its spread, which was in contravention of Section 8 of the Factories Act, 1948.
The House also discussed polluting industries and demanding strict action against the violators. Lobo spoke about encouraging green and pharma industries in the State.
