Team Herald
CALANGUTE: Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo slammed the outgoing Lokayukta P K Mishra and questioned the recent order in a case connected to the time when Lobo was the then chairman of the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA).
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“Who is he (Lokayukta) to state that I am fit or unfit to be minister? The order passed by Lokayukta is illegal, unreasonable and in violation of principle of natural justice against the issue raised by the complainant,” the Calangute MLA added.
“The complaint filed before the Lokayukta differs from the finding of Lokayukta. I was PDA chairman then and today I am a minister and the finding of Lokayukta is totally off the record where he says that I am unfit as minister,” Lobo added.
He also pointed out to a feedback from a different judge. “The Judge and Chairman of NGT have praised our department where I am a minister, for setting an example all over India wherein Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation is the role model.
Goa is the first State in India that has created a ministry for waste management but the Lokayukta is stating that I am unfit as minister,” Lobo remarked further.
The Minister further alleged that the outgoing Lokayukta is upset with the government as his tenure was not extended and is thus intentionally targeting ministers in the government.
Referring to the case, Lobo added that the same case had been disposed off by the High Court had been brought before the Lokayukta.
He added that the sister-in-law of the person, who had filed the complaint in the High Court, had filed the complaint with the Lokayukta.
“As a minister there is no single complaint. Vague complaints have been filed to tarnish our names and Lokayukta reports it to the Chief Minister just because he was not given an extension. I respect the Judiciary but what the Lokayukta has done is not fair when the petition has already been disposed off by the High Court,” Lobo said.
The BJP MLA further questioned the basis on which the Lokayukta made certain statements.
“Lokayukta passes order based on complaint and reports to the Chief Minister that the road has been widened for builders. Arpora people stay in this area. People are aware of the accidents that have occurred here. Around 15 people have lost their lives in the accidents. If random people keep on filing vague complaints and orders are passed based on these vague complaints, then when and how will development in Goa take place? Lobo questioned.
He also questioned the motives of the complainant.
“We have only improved the roads as per the survey plan and land acquired by PWD and have not encroached private land. People who have filed complaints want to incite the people and do not want development to take place,” said the Minister.
“For various reasons known to him, the Lokayukta passed this order, which I do not agree with and accordingly, I am filing my report to the Chief Minister. I have also spoken to my lawyer and am going to file a defamation suit against the former Lokayukta and the complainant,” said Lobo.
