Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Congress leader Elvis Gomes on Wednesday alleged that the magnitude of the corruption involved in the ‘Smart City’ project is huge. Hence Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri should investigate it if he dares to expose his party leaders.
Responding to Puri’s allegation that Congress’s remarks on the ‘Smart City’ Project are unconfirmed, Gomes said that to prove it BJP government should show its guts.
Gomes on Wednesday addressed a press conference in Congress House and slammed BJP for continuing with corruption without investigating it.
GPCC Media Development Chairman Amarnath Panajikar, general secretary Vijai Bhike and Panjim block Mahila President Lavinia Da’costa were present.
“Puri has made allegations against us by using the Press Information Bureau, which is the government’s mouthpiece. Actually, he failed to meet the people of Panaji and ask how they suffer due to the ongoing substandard work of Smart City,” Gomes said.
“Judicial investigation in the case could reveal the magnitude of the scam. If BJP leaders are not shareholders of this corruption, then why are they hesitating to order an investigation,” Gomes questioned.
“In this project, corruption has taken place. If BJP has guts, then it should order a central vigilance commission, and when Panaji BJP MLA and Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate has admitted that the ongoing work of Panaji’ Smart City’ is sub-standard, there is no question of criticising us for rejecting our allegations,” Gomes said.
He said that along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the urban development minister, urban development secretary, Chief Secretary, commissioner of CCP, and CEO of Smart City, all are culprits. “They are the main accused. Hence they will not dare to investigate it,” he said.
“Monserrate has rightly said that Rs 8 crores are given to consultants without any reason. When the minister admits corruption, then there is no need to give proof of corruption,” he said.
Panjikar said that Congress will raise questions from the public and will not keep quiet over the corruption of Smart City.
“Whatever allegations we have levelled are not unsubstantial. We had asked Puri to walk through the city to know what was happening there. But he failed and ran to Delhi,” Panjikar said.
He rejected the statement of Puri that he visited the ongoing work of Smart City.
“Have you (media and People) seen Puri visiting Panaji? Had he come from any vehicle? What has he done by coming here?” Panjikar questioned.
“We know to whom the substandard work will benefit. Media has exposed the sub-standard work of Smart City. This minister (Puri) should be sacked. We will show him black flags when he comes again,” he said.
Panjikar said that the power steering committee doesn’t exist here. “Mr. Puriji, we dare you to have padayatra in Panaji. We will accompany you with black flags to show where the danger zones are,” he said.
Bhike said that smart commission is exposed. “Local MLA has also exposed it. Come for open debate if we are wrong. Center is involved in this corruption,” Bhike said.
