PORVORIM
With assembly elections barely a year away, every attempt is being made to stake credit for projects, even if it means inaugurating a well twice by rival groups within about an hour.
This is exactly what happened at Reis Magos on Saturday when BJP-backed Sarpanch Kedar Naik and panch members inaugurated a well at Vallant“Betim at about 3.30 pm, only to be followed by another inauguration of the same well by Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar along with priests from Reis Magos at about 4.30 pm.
In the first event, Naik inaugurated the well and told reporters that the well and the surrounding compound wall has been constructed by panchayat members at a cost of Rs 6 lakh.
“This amount has not been spent from panchayat funds but through contributions from panchayat members. Hence, the panchayat inaugurated this drinking water facility.”
“The space had been allotted to the panchayat by Church authorities for the benefit of the local community and the panchayat is grateful to them.”
“Residents of Vallant and adjoining areas were facing acute water shortage and they had requested the panchayat to construct a well for them. Responding to their needs, Panchayat members took the initiative, contributed funds and constructed this well,” said Naik.
About an hour later, Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar inaugurated the same well in the presence of Fr Mario D’Souza (assistant to the financial administrator of the archdiocese), Fr Valerian Vaz (Rector of Saligao Seminary) and some locals. Incidentally, Reis Magos Sarpanch Kedar Naik, panch members Virendra Shirodkar, Sushmita Pednekar and Subhas Pednekar were also present at this inaugural ceremony.
Salgaonkar said residents of Vallant and adjoining areas were facing acute water shortage and he discussed the matter with the PWD principal chief engineer.
“Three wells and three tubes well sanctioned. Of the three wells, one well at Vallant was inaugurated on Saturday and work on two other wells at Nerul is in progress.”
“The well at Vallant is 10 meters deep and 5 meters wide. The foundation stone for this well was laid by me on January 22, 2020. The well is located on church property. I had initially spent Rs 4 lakh to construct this well. However, the PWD informed me that they have appointed a contractor for the construction and refunded me the Rs 4 lakh,” said Salgaonkar.
However, queries have been raised on the cost of the project.
While the Reis Magos panchayat members claimed to have collected Rs 6 lakh and constructed the well, the MLA claims he had initially spent Rs 4 lakh for the same well, only to be refunded the amount as a contractor was appointed to construct the well.
An engineer at the site, however, declined to provide further clarity on this issue.
