Vijai demands judicial probe, warns of moving court
MAPUSA
Goa Forward Party (GFP) leader and Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai has raised serious allegations of a scam in the extension of the Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) project until 2027.
Sardesai has demanded a judicial probe into the matter and has warned of taking the issue to court if necessary.
The Fatorda MLA questioned the rationale behind the Rs 182 crore extension granted for four years, despite opposition from the Finance department.
“There is major technical non-compliance according to the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). The Finance department had noted these issues and suggested that the extension should not be considered,” Sardesai stated, citing documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The GBBN project has been under scrutiny before.
In 2015, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India flagged concerns about the project’s last-mile connectivity, labelling it as poor and unstable. Sardesai pointed to this report, arguing that the extension is unjustified given the project’s past performance issues.
“The Finance department had overruled the deal but in spite of that the government went ahead with it. This government is involved in loot. This is a scam of Rs 182 crore. We want a judicial probe in this matter,” Sardesai demanded.
Defending the extension, IT and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte explained that the GBBN provides critical intranet and internet services for all e-governance projects in Goa. “The next three years, during which the extension has been granted, will be used by the government to set up a comprehensive network to connect Goa using central funds,” Khaunte stated.
He also mentioned that the issues raised by the CAG have been duly addressed.
In a written reply to the House, it was revealed that Rs 131.21 crore had been paid to United Telecoms Limited (UTL) and other contractors from April 1, 2020, to date.
Additionally, Khaunte informed the House that UTL contributed Rs 12 crore to the State as its share of revenue from GWave services.
The IT Minister assured the House that the government wanted to provide quality service to the people of Goa.
“Within two years we will provide good service to the State,” Khaunte said.
The GBBN project, launched with the aim of providing robust broadband connectivity across Goa, has been a critical component of the State’s digital infrastructure. It supports various e-governance initiatives, aiming to improve public service delivery and bridge the digital divide.
Despite its ambitious goals, the project has faced multiple challenges, including technical non-compliance and inadequate last-mile connectivity.
As the controversy unfolds, stakeholders and citizens alike are watching closely to see how the government addresses these serious allegations from the Opposition.
The outcome of this issue could have significant implications for the future of digital infrastructure projects in Goa, highlighting the need for stringent oversight and transparent governance.
