the goan I network
CANACONA
Complaining that several projects were either incomplete or being taken up in a haphazard manner, Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes blamed the State government for its inaction which had gone against the interest of the poor and needy people in Canacona taluka.
Addressing a news conference on Friday, Fernandes listed out several projects which were either delayed or substandard in Canacona Taluka.
He complained about the incomplete and haphazard renovation of the government schools by GSIDC in Khotigao and Gaondongrim, the slow pace of work at the Canacona Ravindra Bhavan and non-allotment of Housing Board plots to applicants (including a special school) for over 25 years and the lack of allotment of a plot for a fire station.
The MLA said the government’s failure to provide proper electricity and road access to the residents of Marlim, had prompted them to boycott the recent parliamentary polls.
“Despite sending five different letters to the government, repair and renovation work at the school buildings in Gaondongrim and Khotigao have been undertaken in a substandard manner and even those works were not completed when schools reopened on Thursday,” said Fernandes.
“Neither the GSIDC nor any government authorities inspected the substandard works being carried at these schools. The contractor had not visited the site nor was willing to execute the works as per tender specifications. On the pretext of non-availability of sand, we are told that morass had been used to mix the cement,” Fernandes said.
Khotigao Sarpanch Umesh Gaonkar, who was seated near Fernandes, claimed that the school children have been exposed to mishaps.
“Only a day ago, a student sustained a minor injury when a nail pierced her, while all students are made to sit on the ground at one of the schools,” said Gaonkar.
Fernandes also stated that work on the Ravindra Bhavan, which began two-and-half years ago, had missed several deadlines.
“Now, December is being mentioned as a deadline, but the slow pace of work has raised doubts about the early completion of the project,” said Fernandes.
Commenting on the housing plots, Fernandes said he had even taken up the matter with Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar.
“The minister visited the Housing Board site at Shristhal and had assured to allot plots to the applicants, who have been waiting for over 25 years but still government has done nothing in the matter.”
“Even the plot requested for a Special Children’s School and land earmarked to set up a Fire Station have not materialised. At present the fire station at Canacona does not even have sufficient space to accommodate their fire tenders.”
Fernandes said he had raised all these issues in the Assembly and he had been given several assurances.
“However, nothing has progressed beyond these assurances and I will surely raise these issues again in the Assembly,” he said.
