OLD GOA
The displaced GMK kiosk owners and vendors have decided to suspend their protest indefinitely in the wake of the PWD issuing ex-post facto order to contractor for construction of kiosks.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the protest site outside the GMC on the 51st day, kiosk owner Domnic Pereira said it is for the first time that they have got something in writing from the government, which is an ex-post facto order to the contractor.
“The PWD executive engineer (EE), works division II, has issued the order to the contractor for construction of kiosks at a cost of over Rs 2.27 crore. In light of this, we have taken a decision to indefinitely suspend the protest,” said Pereira.
“However, we will keep in touch with the EE as well as the contractor to track the progress on the work.”
When asked if they are aware of the time period to complete work on the kiosks, Pereira informed, “PWD officials have informed that it will take them at least eight days to inform the Election Commission about the work. After that, the contractor has assured that he would complete the construction within 15 days.”
“Today, the order has been issued due to our perseverance on the issue and also due to the help of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the MLAs of St Cruz and St Andre,” Pereira said.
“At least, we now have the order in our possession, based on which we have the option to approach the court of law if anything goes wrong.”
“For the past six months, we were only getting assurances but nothing concrete in writing. But now we have the order, which will be binding on the next government as well,” he added and thanked all those who supported them, including the media.
