VASCO
Hitting back at Sancoale Sarpanch Ramakant Borkar in connection with the proposed transformer for Siddharth Colony at MES area, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha stated that a simple matter of installation of a transformer to solve the long-pending power needs of villagers should not be turned into a political issue.
Reacting to a statement by Borkar in The Goan on Monday, Saldanha said: “the sarpanch does not know what he speaks and is not aware of the details of the issue as he has just assumed responsibility as sarpanch.”
“The file for the transformer for Siddharth Colony at MES area was moved more than three years ago and after several meetings with subsequent power ministers and engineers, Power Minister Nilesh Cabral sanctioned the transformer and the power department engineers started the installation process.”
“What surprises everyone concerned is that the panch of the area, Nandini Desai, who has been aware of this proposal from inception and of the woes faced by residents due to power fluctuations, failed to advise residents to apply for the panchayat NOC,” said Saldanha.
Stating that application for the Panchayat NOC is not the responsibility of the MLA, Saldanha said it is the responsibility of residents to whom the open space belongs and also for the power department to decide the best location.
“The right to select the site is of the residents, to whom the open space belongs, and 86 of 90 residents agree to the present site selected.”
“Ramakant Borkar should get his facts right before he talks and if he is really interested in assisting the villagers, he should stop making mountains of molehills to gain publicity and instead do the needful.”
“A simple issue of installation of a transformer to solve the long-pending power needs of the villagers should not be turned into a political issue. Leave politics out of this issue and focus on the need and the welfare of the villagers, no matter who advises you,” added Saldanha.
