Most projects started by junior Rane have slowed downNavin Jha / The Goan
,Valpoi04 May 2013MLA Vishwajeet Rane’s writ runs far and wide in Valpoi. He is
virtually the Raja of the area. But while the local kingdom is still his, he
isn’t quite the emperor.Times, as they say, are changing. The junior Rane’s
benevolence once flowed in his constituency, when Papa dear Senior Rane was
Chief Minister and then Speaker. Projects for a new primary health centre, bus
stand, municipal building cum market complex and community cum auditorium got a
go ahead and took off in a jiffy.Soon after his government was voted out, work
on all these projects have slowed down. In fact many of the projects are in
their last stages.The Valpoi MLA’s worst fear is non-completion of projects he
conceptualized.“All I require is the support of the government of the day. But
unfortunately nothing is moving. I wouldn’t say the government has been
discriminating, on the contrary I feel government has no money, possibly due to
ban on mining,” said Rane with disappointment written all over his face.For MLA
Vishwajeet Rane, Valpoi is not a mere election battle ground; it’s his second
home.“I did not believe in making promises so bringing projects to Valpoi was
my way of saying I mean action,” Rane said.The MLA’s biggest worry is
development worth around Rs 200 crore which is at stake, as all the ongoing
projects including the new bus stand, municipal building cum market complex, a
new 70 bedded hospital etc are in final stages. But work on all these projects
is going on at snail’s pace.Valpoi MLA’s claim over development appears to be
true, as except for the problem of garbage, most of the basic amenities and
facilities have been taken care of by the local MLA.The constituency has
relatively good water supply, uninterrupted power supply and good roads which
are hot mixed.The concept of a mini water treatment plant of 0.5 MLD
capacities, each in four panchayats of Savordem, Nagargao, Guleli and Khotodem
is quite unique.“Now the water supply is good and this has reduced use of
borewell water,” said Adam Yakub Shah, a senior citizen and Nagargao
resident.There are some issues that the MLA has not applied his mind to.The
demand of a foot bridge at Dhabos has been pending due to approach road.
Failure to find a solution over the demarcation of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
and clear titles to local villagers has also been Rane’s enigma.Lack of
educational infrastructure in some villages and failure to implement an
efficient traffic management in Valpoi town has been a headache.The MLA was
censured for his stand on the jobs he had offered and even issued call letters
to youth just before the March 2012 assembly polls.The new BJP government
denied jobs to the youth alleging major discrepancies by the former
Congress-led government, even as Rane remained helpless in answeringthe
allegations.“We had high hopes on our MLA, who although gave us employment but
failed to support us during the crisis when the BJP government alleged fraud
over our selection,” a youth declared under the condition of anonymity.
