PANJIM: Many of Panjim’s stakeholders question former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s handling of the Smart City contracts, the destruction of beautiful Panjim and the alleged corruption. But a section has hit back at Revenue Minister and local MLA Babush Monserrate and questioned his credentials to question Parrikar and the “work he has done”.
Former CCP Mayor and councillor Surendra Furtado: “Despite being Mayor I was never appointed as board of director of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd, when Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister. Today none of the board of directors moved a note against the CCP and contractors nor gave adverse remarks on Smart City projects. If the Board had put their foot down, then this situation would have not happened.”
Political analyst Trajano D’Mello: “In the name of the Smart City, they have ruined the city. People are suffering. Nothing is in the place. And memorials are being built to honour the destroyers. The fact is that the BJP has brought contractors for the sake of corruption. As far as the Smart City is concerned, it is the BJP’s brainchild to loot, plunder and rob the citizens of Panjim of the amenities which already existed without Smart City, whether it is Manohar Parrikar or Babush in the scheme of things.”
Former CCP Mayor and councillor Uday Madkaikar: “What Monserrate spoke is truth and I endorse it. I was opposed to the working style of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. I had opposed the erection of CCTVs, which have become non-functional. I had made allegations against the contractors and then CEO and managing director of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd for misusing Rs 8.27 crore respectively. But no inquiry was ordered.”
Former BJP spokesman Dattaprasad Naik: “The highest authority had given certificate to Manohar Parrikar. He was awarded Padma Shri Prime Minister Narendra Modi used to say that Manohar Bhai was one of the best in his team. There is no need for a certificate from a former ‘rape accused’. I condemn the statement made by him (Monserrate). He must apologise immediately and if not Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who claims Parrikar to be his mentor, should sack Monserrate from his cabinet.”
AAP leader Valmiki Naik: “We have seen Monserrate making allegations like this earlier as well but he has not followed it up. He has also made the allegations but it is only to deflect the criticism.
He is making the allegation to divert the attention from the Smart City mess. First it was injuring people and now it is claiming lives of people. Earlier also the Chief Minister was holding a gun on the shoulders of Babush Monserrate and the PWD Minister and firing. Now too, he is doing the same.”
Former CCP councillor and ex-president of Panjim BJP Mandal Deepak Mhapsekar: “We do not care what they are talking about Manoharbhai. The entire Goa knows about him. Panjim was beautiful when Bhai was there. But the question is who has issued tenders during the last three years and who has executed these works. We do not give importance to these kind of persons making absurd statements.”
Panjim-based lawyer Adv Rui Fereira: “The Smart City project was allotted because of Manohar Parrikar. Now if there is corruption as openly stated by Babush Monserrate, who is also the Revenue Minister, there should be a proper investigation conducted. There are allegations and counter allegations between BJP `A’ and BJP ‘X’ but the public suffers.”
Piyush Panchal, a resident of Campal: “Agenda of the political parties for the last 30 years have been cleaning of St Inez creek, decongestion of Panjim, parking facilities in Panjim and now
the removal of casinos. But the fact is none of the issues have been addressed. Whether it was Manohar Parrikar or Babush Monserrate the same situation is prevailing. I do not know whois at the fault- voters or the politicians?”