Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after the Goa Lokayukta recommended handing over the multi-crore beach cleaning scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said his government would need time to study the order.
“It’s a lengthy order and the government will need time of at least 90 days to study and decide on future course,” Parrikar was quoted as saying to a news channel.
When pointed to the recommendation of CBI inquiry, Parrikar stated that it was just one of the many recommendations.
The Lokayukta has asked the government to reopen the investigation, in view of the possibility of conspiracy and kickbacks.
“The ACB should reopen the investigation particularly keeping in view the possibility of conspiracy and any kickback. The question of referring the matter to CBI for investigation may be considered by the government,” Goa Lokaykta P K Mishra said in a recent order.
Advocate Aires Rodrigues, in his complaint before Vigilance Department and the Lokayukta, had urged the registration of a FIR against various officials, including the then Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, and owner of the firms that were involved.
The complaint was substantiated with documents obtained under the Right to Information Act which revealed that in September 2014 the then government had awarded the beach cleaning contract of the North Goa beaches to Bhumika Cleantech Services Pvt Ltd at Rs 7.51 crore annually and the cleaning of South Goa beaches to Ram Cleansers and Developers Pvt Ltd at Rs 7.4 crore annually, both companies are owned by Manish Mohata.
