the goan I network
VASCO
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) councillor Murari Bandekar said former MMC chairperson Deepak Naik was the sole reason to have compelled him to leave the earlier panel and switch sides to bring the present panel into the ruling group.
Breaking his silence for the first time on reasons why he had left the earlier panel, Bandekar told reporters after the MMC meeting that Naik had been very partial and biased as chairperson in allotting funds for works under MMC grants.
“When I was in the panel of Deepak Naik, we had recieved grants of Rs 75 lakh and we were assured that all our works would be taken up. But when I saw the list, I realised that our works were bypassed and only works of his close aide were taken.”
“Similarly, when MMC received funds of Rs 1.2 crore under the 14th Finance Commission, Naik undertook works of Rs 60 lakh only in his ward. We followed up with him to list our works on priority basis, but he chose to return the balance of Rs 60 lakh and not take works in my ward.”
“This was the behaviour of Naik and when MMC Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar managed to get approvals for project worth Rs 8 crore, he is feeling the pinch.”
Bandekar said Naik had sought to create chaos while the councillors were taking confirmation of minutes of development works.
“He should answer why other wards were neglected during his term as chairperson. We are very happy with present chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar, who has done justice to all wards,” said Bandekar.
