MAPUSA
In yet another twist to the ongoing saga in the Kala Academy restoration work contract, PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral on Thursday said preliminary inquiry indicates that PWD has not recommended the contractor for the work undertaken in Kala Academy but hastened to add that he will be able to make a detailed statement on the issue after going through the file.
Cabral also said whatever action that is needed to be taken in the matter will be initiated only after discussing it with the chief minister.
“Preliminary inquiry with officials has revealed that PWD has not recommended the contractor for the ongoing work in Kala Academy. On the request of the Art and Culture department, the PWD suggested the name of a contractor who has been engaged in specialised work at Goa Bhavan in Juhu, Mumbai. The Art and Culture department then moved a file in the cabinet deciding to take the contractor on board,” Cabral said.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, who has been under scrutiny in the Kala Academy restoration work, had recently claimed that the PWD had issued the work order and questions on the issue should be directed to the public works department.
Gaude also came under an attack from BJP spokesman Savio Rodrigues who requested the CM to institute an inquiry against the minister for alleged irregularities while allotting the renovation work of Kala Academy.
Meanwhile, Cabral has assured to go through the file and investigate the matter as the renovation project was taken up during the term of his predecessor.
“I don’t have detailed information but I have asked my engineers for the entire file. I will go through it, investigate and make a proper statement,” he said.
He also made it clear that the PWD was only the executing authority and not involved in taking decisions.
“The file movement…whether to give on nomination basis and what was the role of the PWD vis-Ã -vis the ongoing work will be known only after I go through the file in detail,” he said.
He informed that he believed in following proper procedures while issuing tenders whenever work on big projects were taken.
“For small works like a ruptured water pipeline which is an emergency we take up the work directly but for bigger projects I insist following the procedure,” he said.
He said recently during the monsoon work on some bad roads had to be taken up on priority and therefore it was decided to take a short tender of seven days for the work.
Cabral said after studying the file he will discuss the matter with the chief minister for future course of action.
