CANACONA
The two main parties were united in their outrage over the porn video shot at the Chapoli Dam but differed in the blame game, with the BJP slamming WRD officials for lapses and controversial decisions and the Congress squarely blaming the government for its “shoddy” approach in acting only after public protests.
After the Canacona bandh was withdrawn following the suspension of Canacona PI Tukaram Chawan, the BJP Canacona Block marched to the WRD office in Canacona.
BJP Canacona Block President Nandip Bhagat and other members confronted the Junior Engineer, who is holding charge in the absence of the assistant engineer, sought to know why the dam was painted afresh only days before the alleged pornography video shoot.
They also demanded to know how and which trespassers were not stopped from carrying out the film shoot.
The JE denied the dam had been painted recently but said it was painted in May, while also insisting that they had no knowledge of any film shoot at the dam site. “We have seven security personnel working at the dam, and we are investigating who is responsible for allowing the illegal film shoot,” the JE is reported to have told the BJP delegation.
Claiming that merely suspending security guards would not do any good, the BJP block members demanded action against those officers responsible for the lapse.
The BJP block members then rushed to the cabin of Assistant Engineer Azad Vernekar, who was reportedly called from his leave and directed to rejoin duty.
Vernekar claimed ignorance of the porn video shoot at the dam as he had been on leave.
Vernekar, however, said an enquiry is underway to affix responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Congress accused the State government of “shoddy” approach in handling issues gripping the State.
“This is shoddy governance, as the government is awakened and acts only when people come on roads,” said GPCC General Secretary Janardhan Bhandari.
“This government is turning Goa into a porn hub, a coal hub and an irresponsible IT hub.
Congress leader Mahadev Dessai claimed that the government which had compromised on Mhadei, promoted deforestation in Mollem and coal, besides pushing for the IIT project against public wishes, had no right to govern the State.
“The government has failed every time and wakes up only when people protest on the roads,” said Canacona Block President Prahlay Bhagat.
