The Congress party in Goa alleges that the corruption in the ‘Smart City’ project is high, and calls for an investigation into it by Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Congress leader Elvis Gomes criticized the BJP government for not investigating the corruption and continuing with substandard work. Puri had stated that Congress’s allegations were unconfirmed, prompting Gomes to challenge his party to prove their allegations with an investigation. Gomes further claimed that the BJP leaders, including the Chief Minister, Urban Development Minister, and Secretary, were all guilty of corruption and had no intention of investigating it. Congress suggests that the ongoing substandard work has been exposed by the media and promised to raise questions of public interest. Congress Media Cell Chairman Amarnath Panjikar added that they would not keep quiet over the corruption of the Smart City.
Smart City is an urban renewal program aimed to develop cities’ infrastructure and improve the quality of life of citizens using technology and innovation. The Government launched the Smart Cities Mission in 2015 to develop 100 Smart Cities in India by 2022.
Congress leader Elvis Gomes is a former bureaucrat who had resigned from his position as Goa’s Director of Municipal Administration in 2016 to contest elections. In 2017, he was elected the President of the Goa unit of the Aam Aadmi Party. He now serves as the Vice President of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee.
