MARGAO
Asserting that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had committed to spending an amount of Rs 200 crore on the exposition of St Francis Xavier in August, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira on Friday said the CM will still deliver if the cost of the works planned at Old Goa goes beyond Rs 200 crore.
Salcete's lone minister allayed fears on the funding of the exposition works, asserting that no work planned at Old Goa for the exposition of St Francis Xavier will suffer for want of funds.
Briefing the media on the preparations for the forthcoming exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier, Sequeira said deadlines have been set to complete all ongoing works by November 10.
“We believe there will be teething problems here and there and hence we will get 10 extra days to rectify any issue that crops up after November 10. But, we have set deadlines to ensure that everything falls in place by November 10,” he said.
On CM Sawant’s statement to spend Rs 200 crore on the exposition, Sequeira said the government is committed to spending the amount on the works planned for the big occasion.
“Works are in progress at Old Goa. I can assure you that no work will suffer for want of funds. When the CM spoke of Rs 200 crore, I think he came out with the figure off the cuff. After the estimates have been made, we now know the realistic funds involved. I assure you that if the cost of works goes beyond Rs 200 crore, the CM will still deliver. Let us not harp on the cost,” he added.
Asked to comment on fears raised in certain quarters that no major development works are seen at Old Goa, Sequeira said, “There are 2-3 issues, including the issue that most of the structures are put up with within the ASI or Church property."
