PANJIM: The Goa Cricket Association President Dr Shekhar has given June 18 as the ultimatum to former secretary Chetan Dessai and ex-President Vinod Phadke to pay a sum of Rs 26 lakh which he alleged to have been misappropriated by the duo in May, 2008.
At a press conference held at the GCA headquarters, in Porvorim, on Tuesday, Dr Salkar provided documents acquired under RTI (Right to Information) which showed a sum of Rs 26 lakh paid to Ha-Ko Engineering for purchase of sports equipments. However, the sports management firm based in Mumbai were not aware of such a transaction and in an e-mail responded to GCA, stating that “We have not received such cash from the Goa Cricket Association. Also we are not aware of this transaction.”
The incident occurred in 2008 when former MLA Dayanand Narvekar was the GCA President with Chetan as the Secretary and Phadke as the Treasurer.
In the current scenario, Dr Salkar seems to be in the driver’s seat ahead of the GCA elections due for June 28.
“Under RTI filed by Hemant Angle in Registrar of Societies, we have received an official copy of the GCA’s cash book dated May 28, 2008 which shows that two self cheques, one of 18 lakhs and the other of eight lakhs had been debited from Federal Bank and a sum of Rs 26 lakhs paid to Ha-Ko Engineering for sports equipments on the very same day in cash. I will write to them to pay back the amount with 18 percent` interest by June 18 as the election scrutiny is on June 19 or they can’t contest,” stated Dr Salkar.
However, Chetan questioned the authenticity of the RTI and also termed Dr Salkar’s behaviour as childish.
“Dr Salkar is only trying to rig the elections. The RTI is not authentic and requires no attention. If the misappropriation occurred in 2008 then why is he making a noise now? Several Managing Committee meetings have taken place but the issue never came up. I’m not the only one who withdraws money,” stated Chetan.
“I had raised this issue earlier but had no hard evidence as Chetan was the secretary,” stated Dr Salkar in defence.
Even with such serious allegations against him, Chetan stands confident ahead of the polls. The BCCI’s Marketing Committee Chairman also hinted at contesting for the top post in the GCA for the first time after serving as Secretary from 1996.
“Our panel which includes Akbar Mulla, Vinod Padke and others are confident of having a strong backing of around 70 clubs. We have still not decided who will contest for the President’s post but I may step in this time,” Chetan added.
The election process has already begun with ND Agarwal, Chairman of the Election Committee yet to decide on whether the process will be held through ballot paper or Election Voting Machines. The Dessai faction are not in favour of conducting the elections through the Election Voting Machines. The last date of nominations is June 16.
