VASCO
Claiming the transfer of Rs 23 crore, received by Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) under 14th Finance Commission, to GSUDA for development projects was against norms and laws that could further land the MMC in trouble, former MMC Chairperson Shekar Khadapkar on Tuesday said the civic body must immediately rectify the mistake and take steps to get back the money from GSUDA.
Speaking to reporters in Vasco, Khadapkar said the 14 Finance Commission funds (around 42% of taxes collected across the country) were allotted by the Centre for development to be taken up only by local bodies.
"As per guidelines, these funds are to be utilised only by local bodies like municipalities or panchayats and the amount is distributed as per classification of the bodies.”
When late Francis D’Souza was urban development minister in 2016, MMC was sanctioned around Rs 35 crore and for the last four years, many chairpersons changed but the money was unutilised. Now, the MMC has transferred a huge amount to GSUDA, which is a Goa government-funded agency by itself," said Khadapkar.
He said the Centre had sent the money to the State and the urban development department could have directly allotted the funds to GSUDA, but it would not fit into the guidelines because the fund is meant for local bodies.
“It is a wrong procedure that local body, instead of utilising the funds for local works like nullahs, gutters, culverts, retaining walls, has transferred it to GSUDA. Actually, the MMC should have taken DMAs approval, convened a council meeting and also sought legal opinion before transferring the money to GSUDA.”
“Key projects to be taken under GSUDA can be held up midway if anyone challenges the procedures adopted, leading the MMC into further trouble. These funds could have been utilised to help workers or provide people with oximeters or take up Covid-related development and sanitisation," said Khadapkar.
He stated that the GSUDA should focus on state-related works with government funds, while MMC must do its work at its own funds.
“The councillors must consider if they have passed a resolution and adopt a fresh resolution to get back funds from the GSUDA," added Khadapkar.
