Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO:The Congress Party has strongly criticized Margao MLA and PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, along with the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), accusing them of openly violating High Court directives related to illegal constructions on public roads. The remarks were made during a media briefing held near a club-like structure located behind Cine Vishant at Malbhat, Margao.
Margao Congress Block Convener Savio Coutinho alleged that while the MMC has been issuing notices to owners of illegal structures on public roads and road-widening areas as per a recent High Court order, the Council itself has constructed a “club-like structure” in the middle of a road under the guise of beautifying a black spot. He claimed the structure contains sofa sets, chairs, a projector screen, a gas burner, a bottle cooler, empty beer cans, and even an electrical panel board belonging to the electricity department. Coutinho further alleged that electricity was being tapped illegally at the site. Accusing the MLA and MMC of misusing public funds to appease political supporters, he demanded an inquiry into what he termed as “criminal wastage” of public money.
Congress General Secretary Manisha Usgaonkar also condemned the Margao MLA, stating that if he wished to provide recreational spaces for residents, he could have done so using the “ill-gotten funds” from the alleged ₹35,000 crore mining scam. She expressed concerns about possible alcohol consumption at the site, warning that anyone under the influence coming into contact with the exposed electrical unit could lose their life.
Another Congress leader, Sabita Mascarenhas, alleged that while ordinary Goans are targeted under the pretext of road encroachment, the MLA himself has constructed a recreation spot on a public road using taxpayer money.
The Margao Congress Block has demanded strict action against all those responsible for what they described as a fraudulent project disguised as a beautification initiative. Coutinho also pointed out that despite Margao being covered under a door-to-door waste collection system, garbage continues to be dumped in interior areas, which he attributed to the failure of the collection mechanism and the Council’s preference for favouring the contractor “for very obvious reasons.”
