PANAJI
The Goa government that once boasted of relocating different offices to Spaces building at Patto-Panaji “ despite allegations of spending a whopping amount as monthly rent “ is caught in an embarrassing situation.
The staff of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AHVS), backed by their higher-ups, is reluctant to relocate to the commercial building owing to its poor sanitation. Secretariat sources informed that “rotten smell” emanating from the fifth floor has prompted the officials to inspect the venue before shifting its functioning from the new premises.
Director Dr Agostinho Misquita confirmed the news, on being contacted by The Goan. “We have been given to understand that the fifth floor is in poor condition. There’s a raw flesh-like stench emanating from this floor. My staff could be exposed to health problems. Therefore, I have decided to personally inspect the allotted portion of the fifth floor and submit a report to the government for appropriate action,” Misquita said.
The Goan has reliably learnt that the department’s senior officials had requested Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to allot two floors to accommodate their physical records besides giving a favourable working space to its employees. An allotment letter on Wednesday however agreed to only one and a half floors - the fourth floor and part of the fifth floor.
The department is now caught in a tight situation as the Public Works Department’s (PWD) recent structural audit recommended “immediate” shifting, the new premises itself needs urgent attention.
What’s ironic is that AHVS’ head office at Patto has fallen weak 11 years after the new wing was commissioned in October 2011. Thanks to the construction of the Multi-Level Car Parking facility on its adjacent, the government-owned building’s foundation is reportedly impacted.
“The AHVS building’s columns and beams have apparently weakened after the parking facility came up. The building has suffered some damages due to the parking facility’s construction,” sources said.
The government has been paying Spaces building’s owner a monthly rent of Rs 4 to 5 lakh per office, sources said adding that Goa Administrative Department’s order in 2021 directing some offices to shift from the private building to government premises has not been completely adhered to.
