Consultants paid over `48 cr for jobs like hotmixing of roads; Opposition sees red
the goan I network
PANAJI
The Opposition however pointed out that GSIDC has spent over Rs 48 crores on consultants which is much more than the budget of some of the government departments like RDA.
The Opposition also charged that GSIDC, which was formed to take up major infrastructural works has been taking up minor works like interlocking of pavers and resurfacing and hotmixing of roads among others which could have been done by others departments like PWD.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said, “My question is on consultants appointed by GSIDC. These consultants have been doing lot of jobs under GSIDC for projects which could have been done by other departments. What is the total amount of consultancy paid since 2012 till date for all the projects under GSIDC and whether the consultants nominated are only for specialised jobs or for routine jobs.”
Reacting to the reply by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar that Rs 48.61 crore have been paid towards consultancy charges during the last four years, Khaunte said, “The consultancy paid is much more than the budget of certain departments in RDA. GSIDC was formed as a special purpose vehicle meant to do major infrastructure jobs. Today GSIDC is gone into interlocking of pavers in temples, resurfacing and hotmixing of roads and footpaths including electrification in schools where there is existing division of electricity department. And you are paying consultancy for such jobs.”
Parsekar, admitting that the charges were exorbitant, said, “Initially even I thought it was more. But when I got into the depth of it, I realised it was essential to take forward infrastructure works. GSIDC has very few engineers and the works being carried out are more than 300. It is not affordable to appoint engineers on a large scale and the engineers appointed are on contract basis. So consultants are appointed for these works.”
However, taking a dig at GSIDC, Khaute said, “If you don’t have the expertise to carry out works like interlocking pavers, departments like PWD has.
