-- Samir Umarye
BICHOLIM: Accusing Congress of just laying foundation stones, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday stated that his government has completed most of the pending projects of the earlier government and announced that 10 per cent of any project cost undertaken by GSIDC from now will be kept for its maintenance. Parrikar was speaking at the inauguration of the Rs 43 crore Sanquelim Ravindra Bhavan, which was inaugurated amid protest by few Congress supporters. “We very well know why Congress had tried to construct so many buildings, probably because of commission involved in such projects. They failed to complete any of the projects,” stated Parrikar and added that “Sanquelim Ravindra Bhavan was delayed by Congress by about five years and when BJP took over the project, only 20 per cent work was completed.” “As the Congress delayed the project, the cost increased manifold, but BJP completed most of its projects within stipulated time. We know that the work is not over with the construction and inauguration, but we announce that from now on 10 per cent of the project cost would be kept for its maintenance,” said Parrikar. “Black flags should be shown if projects are not completed on time and so we don’t understand why few people who are outside the Bhavan are holding black flags,” he said. He also accused the Congress of halting mining in the State and also for creating hindrances for the government when they were trying to support the people. Later, Parrikar named the Ravindra Bhavan as ‘Manoharbuva Shirgaonkar Bhavan’ and charged Congress for naming buildings by their family names. Art and Culture Minister Dayanand Mandrekar assured a mini theatre for Bicholim and also sought to know from those who were showing black flags why there was delay in the project. Sanquelim MLA Dr Pramod Sawant and Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal also spoke on the occasion.
