MAPUSA
PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral on Monday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that work in the public works department was affected due to severe staff crunch but also stressed that the government was taking steps to absorb new staff and things would soon fall in place.
Cabral also said that plans to introduce e-governance in the PWD were at an advanced stage even as the government was coming up with a new speedbreaker policy.
He said over 400 posts of junior engineers (JEs) and technical assistants (TAs) were vacant for various reasons.
“Despite the shortage, the department is managing with the existing staff. We are trying to make up for the shortfall. In another two months, we will recruit new JEs and TAs. Engaging other technical staff like LDC, draughtsmen, planning assistants, etc. will also start,” Cabral said, while responding to a question over delay of works in St Andre constituency raised by the local MLA Viresh Borkar.
Borkar said shortage of staff was just a ruse as works in other constituencies were going on in full steam except in his constituency.
He further said that most of the PWD staff posted in his area was holding additional charge thus obstructing smooth functioning of the department.
Cabral said administrative approval has been given to several works in St Andre and a lot of works have also been tendered.
“We have tried to do whatever works the MLA has moved to the department. We have certain constraints due to paucity of staff, but we expect things to fall in place,” he said.
Insisting that there were a lot of administrative delays in PWD, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said his work to install 11 speed breakers remained pending for a very long time.
“The collector had given a go-ahead to execute installation of three speed breakers almost one year back. It’s lying pending with the PWD,” Viegas said.
The PWD Minister informed that the government was coming with a new speed breaker policy for existing and new speed breakers.
He said in the next eight months all speed breakers will be uniform all over the State.
Cabral also pointed out that the work of introducing e-governance in the PWD has been tendered and work order is also expected soon.
“Very soon everyone will be able to follow up estimates of projects online,” he said.
He also assured to launch an “app” for various services where the common man will be able to complain on the app.
