PANAJI: The Corporation of the City of Panaji has spent around Rs 68 lakh from its coffers on various consultant agencies, for preparing detailed projects reports as regards Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
However, the Corporation has neither received any funds from the Mission for these projects, nor have any of these projects seen the light of the day.
The related information furnished under the Right to Information Act 2005, by the CCP Commissioner, Mr Elvis Gomes states that this entire amount paid to various consultant agencies, during the period from 2007 to 2010, cannot be reimbursed from either the government or the JNNURM.
The information further states that `14.58 lakh have been spent on preparation of DPR for the sector urban renewal including development of parks, gardens and open spaces in the city, and the consultant agency is Karnataka-based Groupe SCE India.
Another 11-odd lakh of rupees are spent on preparation of DPRs for basic services to urban poor and comprehensive mobility plan each, with the same Karnataka-based consultant agency being asked to complete the task.
The Groupe SCE India was again paid ` 9.24 lakh for preparation of DPR for the sector heritage conservation for the city of Panaji. Another consultant agency, Upasani Jain and Kshirsagar and G S Mathur & Co, Pune was paid a sum of ` 10.96 lakh towards preparation of DPR for municipal e-governance design document, a GIS based e-governance system on the basis of national design document as per national mission mode programme. Yet another consultant agency, Water and Power Consultancy, Gurgaon-Haryana prepared a DPR for the sector water body preservation and hill/ slope protection, at a fee of ` 9.61 lakh.
The information provided by the CCP Commissioner maintains that the proposed works to be carried out under the JNNURM scheme are being procedurally monitored by Mr Prakash Chandra as mandated under law; further stating that these works are however not attaining completion.
The information refuses to divulge reasons for the same. Furthermore, ` 2.80 lakh have been paid to Delhi-based Tetra Tech India, for preparation of a DPR for solid waste management including handling, disposal, treatment etc.
Even after spending exorbitant funds from the public money on the consultant agencies, works under the JNNURM including development of St Inez creek, development of Mala lake, 226 apartments planned at Kamarabhat, development of Miramar beach, development of Boca de Vaca precinct and Swami Vivekanand Road, upgradation of Divar jetty, provision of toilets, conservation of Cabo Fort, redevelopment of Church Square, restoration and adaptive reuse of Masana de Amorim, and restoration of Our Lady of Ajuda Church, among other works have not even started, till this day.
