MARGAO
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat openly batting for a restaurant at the proposed multi-level parking project in the commercial capital and his claim that the project plan has been shown to the Margao councillors has kicked up a row of sorts.
For, Margao councillors, cutting party lines, have pointed out that the Margao Municipal Council had never proposed a restaurant in the multi-level parking lot nor has the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) discussed the parking project plans with the city fathers till date.
In fact, former Margao civic chief Lyndon Pereira, during whose stint the MMC had handed over the multi-level project to the GSUDA for execution was categorical in saying that no restaurant proposal was ever discussed by the Council. “The Council had resolved to hand over the multi-level parking project to the GSUDA since we could not get any takers to execute the project. No proposal was ever discussed by the Council to set up a restaurant in the proposed project,” Lyndon said.
A ruling BJP-backed councillor echoed similar sentiments, but did not want to come out in the open to criticise the MLA for the statement that the restaurant plan in the multi-level parking lot was discussed with the councillors. “Since the incumbent Council had resolved to hand over the work of construction of the multi-level parking lot, we want to make it amply clear that none of the 25 councillors are a party to any decision to set up a restaurant in the proposed project. We were all taken aback when our MLA announced that a restaurant has been proposed in the multi-level parking lot and that the plan was discussed with the city fathers,” remarked a ruling BJP councillor.
Another ruling councillor maintained that even if the MLA is rooting for a restaurant in the multi-level parking project, the Council should also demand that adequate space to house all old Municipal office files and cupboards dotting the Municipal corridors and passages, is earmarked in the multi-level parking lot. “I am not opposing a restaurant in the proposed multi-level parking building, but priority ought to be given for office space in the propose building to meet the requirements of the civic body for the next 50-100 years,” the councillor added.
