Rs 70 croremeant for development and maintenance of rural roads in Public WorksDepartment’s Division VI has been diverted for development of municipal roadslast year. This diversion is a gross violation of norms of expenditure ofGovernments as per CVC and CAG Guidelines.
In a shockingdisclosure, Division VI Executive Engineer Anil Ringane told The Goan that“about Rs. 30 crore worth of funds meant for rural roads alone were diverted toMargao Constituency”. Ringane also confirms that this was at the behest ofChief Minister Digambar Kamat who also was the MLA for Margao. The diversion ofthe entire fund meant for rural roads to municipal roads had PWD MinisterChurchill Alemao’s sanction.
Ringane in hisreport to the government has expressed dissatisfaction in having to divertfunds marked for rural road development and has asked for a properclassification of expenses under the correct heads.
PWD in Goaconstructs and maintains all National Highways, all State Highways, all MajorDistrict Roads (MDR) as well as all rural roads. As per mandate, all municipalroads have to be maintained by Municipalities and City Corporation in the state.A town’s local self-government has to seek its’ own funds.
The Goan had on August 11 exposed how 214 tenders werehurried through 48 hours on December 22 and 23 last year before election codeof conduct for Assembly Elections 2012 was in place. The expose had shown thepathetic state of Margao roads that were tendered in haste. The Goan expose had also showed how Margao’sroads were tendered multiple times for the same works. Ringane’s admission addsa new twist that the funds allotted for these works actually were meant forrural roads.
“I have askedmy seniors to ask Finance Department to reclassify these works under properbudget heads as diversifying funds meant for rural roads to municipal areas isnot a correct thing to do” informs RIngane. Ringane’s admission promises tostir a hornet’s nest as all the 13 municipal limits in Goa may be actuallymaintaining their roads with rural funds.
Excerpts(reproduced verbatim) of a recorded conversation with the Executive Engineer ofDivision 6, Anil RIngane
“Inthe Municipal Limit, I am not supposed to start even one rupee work. But I was toldby the PWD Minister to do this work. All money for works amounting to Rs. 60-70crores is going from rural roads. In Chief Minister’s own constituency worksworth Rs 30 crores has been sanctioned for Municipal Roads.
I have made myreport to the government seeking proper classification of budgetary allotmentsof this road through my seniors. I have asked them to find out from the FinanceDepartment to reclassify the allotment of rural road funds to Municipal limitsand allot it under proper budget head”.
