MAPUSA
PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral on Friday assured the House that henceforward the PWD engineers will be held accountable for the maintenance/repair of government buildings/structures in the State.
Cabral also said that a mechanism would be put in place to take up maintenance/repair works of all government-owned buildings.
“We are going to streamline the system. We are bringing a system so that the PWD is held accountable. The PWD JE and AE will be held accountable for a particular structure whether it is a school or government building. I am taking the responsibility which was not done for the last so many years,” Cabral said.
The PWD Minister was responding to the question raised by Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao on the maintenance of government complexes.
On the procedure adopted by the PWD while taking up maintenance/repair work, Cabral said all works were taken up through e-tendering and in case of emergency and urgent works, it was taken up through call of quotations/short tender as per the CPWD works manual.
“All the works involve a defect liability period of one year for repair and maintenance works and in case of any defects, the contractor has to rectify the defects at their own cost and in case of any default, action is to be initiated as per contract conditions,” he said.
Pointing to the poor maintenance of the Mathany Saldanha Complex in Margao, Alemao said the government has spent crores on its maintenance but the lifts of the building were not functioning and the toilets were overflowing.
“With the kind of money spent, we could easily build a seven-star hotel. When people’s money of around Rs 100-200 crore is spent, there should be accountability. Why is it not happening?” Alemao queried.
The PWD Minister admitted that there was a maintenance problem at the Mathany Saldanha complex.
“Whatever repair work is possible we will take up. In the next assembly session, I will ensure that there are no complaints from members,” he said.
The Cuncolim MLA pointed out that the union CPWD report recommends outsourcing maintenance works to reputed private agencies for improvement.
Cabral informed that some things could be outsourced but some things were required to be done on a periodical basis.
“We will have to find a mechanism on the maintenance part. Everything cannot be outsourced. We will find what has to be periodically worked on and what has to be outsourced and it will have to be synchronised,” he said.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said the PWD minister should also start an app for maintenance/repair work.
“Will the minister make a cell to access the buildings that need maintenance? Prepare an audit of damaged structures, furniture/fixtures and check if they have to be repaired or replaced which could be entrusted to a special cell,” Sardesai said.
The PWD minister said there was no need to form a cell but assured the House that the Executive Engineer of the division and the officials down the line will be held accountable.
