TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Wagh committee which was constituted by the BJP government to inquire into and make recommendations on grievances of staff of the Gomantak Marathi Academy regarding salaries and service conditions and other matters has recommended that in case the Academy fails to comply with its recommendations and honour public interest then government should form its own academy on par with the Goa Konkanni Academi and accommodate existing Academy staff.
The committee also wanted that all funds which have been misappropriated be recovered from the Marathi academy after carrying out an audit by the government and a FIR be filed against responsible persons, if found guilty as well as an inquiry to conducted to ascertain transactions made during the election code of conduct. It also wants the constitution amended within four weeks after calling a special general body meeting.
The report submitted Tuesday by committee chairman and MLA of legislator Vishnu Surya Wagh. The constitution of the committee was announced by the CM in his budget speech.
The mandate of the committee was “to inquire if the funds allotted by the government to the academy have been utilized for the purposes for which it was granted”, said in the order issued by Prakash Vazrikar, director & ex officio joint secretary (official language).
The committee has recommended that new pay scales be given to staff with budgetary provision to be made by government, and that the government should take up the renovation and reconstruction of the present Marathi Bhavan.
The recommendations include that the government should find out from the appropriate authorities the election procedure followed, check nomination forms and the signatories of the last three years as there were allegations that the elections conducted by the academy were biased and faulty.
The committee also recommended that the government release grants in aid so that salaries of staff can be paid.
Other members on the committee are Pandurang Madkaikar, Cumbharjua MLA, Subhash Faldessai, Sanguem MLA, Lavoo Mamledar, Ponda MLA, Pramod Sawant, Sanquelim MLA, Naresh Sawal, Bicholim MLA with director, official language as member secretary.
