BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Virtually donning the role of the opposition ever since the Monsoon Session of the Assembly commenced in the state, former Finance Minister Dayanand Narvekar yesterday crossed swords with Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira. What raised the heckles of the former Finance Minister was the downsizing of the estimates of power requirements in his Aldona constituency coupled with an inordinate delay in sanctioning as well as accomplishing power related works.
Curiously, the issue took an ugly turn as the House also witnessed a pow-vow between the two former cabinet colleagues as Sequeira tried to put his view across to Narvekar. While Sequeira pinned the blame on the former Finance Minister's delayed approval in sanctioning the required amount for the aforesaid power works, Narvekar took the bull by the horns when he threatened to resign if Sequeira could prove the same. On his part, the Power Minister accepted the challenge.
Narvekar's main grouse, this time directed at Sequeira, was the list of non-sanctioned works which the former pegged at sixteen. The downsizing of estimates also continued to ruffle his feathers. What raised Narvekar's temper was a case pertaining to the street lights on the stretch extending from O'Coqueiro to Housing Board. " The estimate in this case are under scrutiny for two years. I have been following the supply of electricity equipment. It takes two years for you? What sort of Ministry are you running?" was Narvekar's salvo fired at Sequeira. Highlighting more discrepancies, Narvekar said he has written scores of letters and the Minister must reply to the same. " How has the Minister not replied for last two years? What is the MLA's role? The MLAs are not frustrated. This is the height of incompetency, laziness is going on," was Narvekar's charge.
On his part, Sequeira rejected the charge of downsizing the estimates of power equipment requirements in Aldona constituency by stating that estimates are prepared by the concerned AE/JE.
