the goan I network
MARGAO
Asserting that it is the responsibility of local civic bodies and institutions to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of projects under MPLAD scheme, newly-elected South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Friday said he would find out with the Chairman of the MPLAD scheme whether any provision can be made in the scheme for the maintenance of the projects.
Sardinha made the statement after his first meeting with officials of various agencies headed by district Collector, South Agnelo Fernandes when the media drew his attention to the defunct CCTV surveillance cameras installed across South Goa district during the previous stint as South Goa MP.
The MP during his stint between 2009-2014 had sanctioned CCTV surveillance cameras for Margao, Vasco, Quepem etc, which had helped the men-in-uniform to rein in traffic violators and keep anti-socials at bay. “Normally under MPLAD scheme, the projects are given to the local Municipality or Panchayat or institutions for its upkeep and maintenance. They are supposed to take care. The MPLAD scheme has no provision for maintenance, but money can be spent only on extension of the projects,” he said.
When the media drew his attention to the statements made in the corridors of the Margao civic body that the CCTV cameras were never handed over to the civic body, Sardinha sarcastically stated that that the current lot of City Fathers might have entered into the civic body only after the cameras were installed and operated. “I don’t understand what is meant by handing over. Where the CCTV cameras not operated by the police after they were installed in these towns. Anyway, I will find out with the Chairman of the MPLAD scheme whether any provision can be made for maintenance of the MPLAD projects,” he said.
Asked whether he has any major project in mind for his South Goa constituency, Sardinha said he is heading to Delhi next week to take the oath of office, adding ‘projects for South Goa will be discussed and sanctioned only after the Parliament session’.
The MP said that projects under the MPLAD scheme will be sanctioned after receiving applications from the Municipalities, Panchayats and institutions.
