the goan I network
MARGAO
The first meeting of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) under new Chairman, MLA Wilfred D’Sa on Wednesday gave its nod for the setting up of the Export Inspection Agency’s state-of-the-art food testing laboratory at the PDA retail market instead of the wholesale fish market as decided by the outgoing body.
The PDA has also taken a decision to carrying out the work of sopo collection and cleanliness of the wholesale and retail fish markets departmentally till the work is awarded to contractors via quotations.
While the new PDA chairman later told the media that the food testing laboratory site has been shifted back to the PDA retail market as per the EIA’s requirements, PDA member and former TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said the laboratory was proposed at the wholesale fish market because the market was receiving inter-state fish. He also told the new PDA to find out with GSIDC whether the proposed lab will in any way affect come in the proposed renovation of the retail fish market.
On the collection of sopo and cleanliness of the market, Sardesai reminded the new body that they can award the work to any contractor provided the PDA complies with the tendering rules in force.
The PDA chairman told the media that the first meeting was adjourned mid-way after discussing about 16 points on the agenda. “Since the meeting is being held after a gap of almost four months, there were too many points on the agenda. We have discussed around 16 points and the remaining issues will be taken up at the adjourned meeting tentatively scheduled later this month,” D’Sa said.
He said the BITS Pilani, which has set up a water filtration plant at the wholesale fish market, will hold a presentation for the benefit of the new members before commissioning the plant early January.
On the wholesale fish market, the PDA Chairman said the GSIDC had prepared estimates to build a new wholesale fish market at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore. “As per the revised plans, the new wholesale fish market will cost the government Rs 18 crore,” he said, adding that though the renovation of the PDA retail fish market is still at a proposal stage, the GSIDC has prepared estimates to the tune of Rs 42 crore to put in place a new market.
On FDA letter for allotment of space for cold storage, D’Sa said since the proposal does not contain details such as amount of space required for the cold storage, it has been decided to call the officials for discussion.
He said the PDA has reviewed the decision of the previous body to charge Rs 60 per square metres for exhibitions on the PDA ground. “Instead of the condition that the organisers should hold the exhibition on minimum land of 2,000 square metres, it has been decided to reduce the area to 1,500 sq mts,” he said.
To a question PDA Member Secretary, Ashok Kumar said that the PDA earns an annual revenue of Rs 35 lakh by leasing out the land for exhibitions. He said the PDA has drawn up a scheme to develop the parking ground with funds under the MPLAD scheme and also take up the damaged road with the PWD for hot-mixing.
