PANJIM: Kalaphur Plus, an NGO, has demanded an inquiry by Vigilance Department in the functioning of the St Cruz panchayat.
Addressing the media, Kalaphur Plus convener Arturo D’Souza pointed out to a series of alleged irregularities at the panchayat and said they would be submitting a complaint to the Vigilance Dept for a probe.
D’Souza alleged that panchayat members have been demanding bribes from builders and construction firms despite them having followed proper procedure. He alleged that a construction license has been stopped for over a year as he had not paid the bribe. At the same time illegal constructions in the same areas are shielded by the panchayat body, he said.
“The person who pays (bribe) without following the legal path has been given priority and the person who does not pay (bribe), but follows all procedures and pays all the taxes to the government has been harassed,” D’Souza said.
Pointing out to an alleged scam in tendering processes at the panchayat, D’Souza alleged there has been ‘fixing’ while awarding an electrical contract.
He also said that the staff of the village library has been posted at the panchayat office and the Department of Art and Culture has stopped grants to the library after the audit report for several years was not sent.
St Cruz Sarpanch Indira Fernandes rubbished all the allegations. “Since I have taken over as sarpanch in December 2015, I am ready to take responsibility for any malpractices. We are ready to face any inquiry related to corruption. I have been serving the people and will serve with no tolerance to corruption,” Fernandes said.
She added that all tenders and licenses are issued following proper procedures. “If anyone has complained against any panch, I will take action,” she added.
