MARGAO
The Shadow Council for Margao (SCM) on Monday released a documentary video highlighting the alleged corruption by blatant misuse of public funds by the Water Resources Department.
SCM Convenor Savio Coutinho said the video pertaining to the work of construction of branch nallah behind ESI Hospital Margao is aimed at making it known to the general public and Madgaonkars in particular how Rs 81 lakhs from the government treasury are being utilized to aide private real estate development in Margao.
He said the purpose of having the press briefing on the eve of the Independence Day was to throw a challenge before the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to watch this video and order for action against the misappropriation of public funds, and prove that his government is truly against corruption and malpractices.
“We will have tall claims of development at the flag hoisting ceremonies tomorrow; if this type of shoddy development works is what the government is referring too, then these claims are meaningless,” he charged.
He said the SCM and like-minded citizens filed several complaints before every possible authority, from the Asst Engineer of the WRD till the infamous extension Chief Engineer of WRD, and even the Chief secretary of the state, but in vain.
Narrating the video visual, Coutinho explained how an existing nallah which is in perfect condition, was being mischievously intended to be shifted at the cost of the public exchequer, to facilitate private real estate development.
“Out of immense guilt that we could not do anything about the misuse of public funds, despite of all our attempts, we are making this video hoping that some authority will have a rethink over this matter; And we also hope that those guilty should not only be punished, but the losses should also be recovered from those responsible,” Coutinho hoped.
