Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party has alleged a multi-crore scam in the underground cabling works currently being undertaken in Mapusa. AAP leader Salman Khan had yesterday exposed on-site the multiple discrepancies in the works being undertaken vis-a-vis the tender specifications, and today gave further details at a press conference at the party office in Panaji.
“There are serious irregularities in the work being undertaken under the “HT & LT Feeder Overhead to Underground cabling for Mapusa town” tender worth 125 crores. The cable brand being used is of inferior quality and not in the list of brands specified in the tender. The depth of the excavation is grossly insufficient and the protective bedding and covers have not been installed. No earthing has been provided for many of the items as specified in the tender. No markers have been installed as required”, Khan stated.
Khan said that all these deficiencies have created serious danger to the public, besides the inconvenience & expense it will cause due to subsequent damage and repairs and shutdowns.
Valmiki Naik railed at the BJP Govt stating that it had provided neither cheap electricity nor reliable 24×7 supply, and instead, the BJP’s penchant for corruption is endangering the lives of the public, as seen in the deaths of linesmen and other incidents of current leakage.
“What is the relationship between Power Minister Dhavalikar and this Rajasthani contractor who is using a cable made by a Rajasthani manufacturer? Why didn’t the JE or AE inspect and rectify these serious discrepancies?”, Naik demanded to know.
Sunil Signapurkar said that a Goan contractor could have bid lower for this tender and won it if he had also been informed that cheaper brands could be used instead of the specified brands.
“We are facing so much unemployment and inflation in Goa. Why can’t the Goa Govt give a fair chance to Goan contractors who will do a much more honest and better quality job? Is it because the Minister can openly make certain demands from outside contractors that he can’t with Goan contractors?”, Signapurkar questioned.
The AAP leaders have resolved to file a vigilance complaint on the issue and ensure that the BJP’s corruption doesn’t claim any more Goan lives.
