VASCO
Refuting the accusations as baseless, Urban Development Minister Milind Naik hit back at Almeida and challenged him to prove his allegations.
"It is sad to see a BJP MLA make baseless allegations on his own government. If he had any issues on development works in his constituency because of me or noticed any discrepancies in the project, he could have brought it to my notice or even complained to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant against me, instead of standing on the road and make baseless allegations.”
“I wonder why was he silent all this while and he could have put up the issue during a series of meetings that were held before the project was handed over to GSUDA and we could have rectified the matter at the CM’s level. Neither Almeida nor the councillors have ever told me about this issue," said Naik.
The minister insisted that the GSUDA is only a contractor which takes up development projects for the municipal council, which can then generate revenue from the project after completion.
“GSUDA will work only as per requirement, needs and proposals placed before them and works can commence only after taking chief officer and the municipal council into confidence.”
“The works were awarded to the GSUDA after a series of meetings held with the DMA, chief officer, chairperson and other officials. The GSUDA’s only role is to take up the project, complete the works as per proposal and requirements put up and hand it back to the municipal council,” said Naik.
"I suggest that Almeida take up his grievances with the CM so that a solution can be work out, if possible. Almeida may have been happy by making baseless allegations against me and I request him to prove it and then speak," Naik shot back.
