01 Aug 2020  |   05:42am IST

Complaint filed against Parsekar, 2 officials in mining scam by GA

Team Herald

PANJIM: In a major development related to the mining scam, Goencho Avaaz (GA) filed complaints against the former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and two officials viz former Director Mines, Prasanna Acharya and then Mining Secretary PK Sain, IAS, who were indicted by the Lokayukta for their incriminating role.

Co-convenor of GA, Capt. Viriato Fernandes said the blatant corruption that had occurred under the aegis of the three individuals when they held important portfolio/charge in the mining dept had to be answered for. 

“The government is turning a blind eye to the findings of the Lokayukta that clearly and unequivocally indicted these men for their deep involvement in abetting the crime raised serious doubts in the minds of the people of Goa about the ulterior motives in not acting on the Lokayukta findings, which raises doubts about the direct involvement of the govt too,” Capt Viriato said. 

He said GA would have appreciated if the present government reeling under financial crisis had to take steps to recover the loot, instead of refusal to take any action against the accused. 

“Non-intention to act against the perpetrators of the crime sent a wrong signal to alleged scamsters that they can get away under a laissez-faire govt and ever ready to do business with looters. This gave an impression that the govt is hand in glove with the perpetrators of the mining loot,” the complainants said.

Swapnesh Sherlekar said  the loot of public money through mines that has gone on for decades needs to be stopped and accountability be set in. “However powerful and strong the person may be, it is necessary that scamsters should be brought to book and made to face the law,” they said. 

He concluded that all efforts will be made to bring to book all those who have looted the State and destroyed the land for their own personal profits.

The complaint against Parsekar has been filed before the Governor Satya pal Malik. The Petition against PK Sain, IAS has been filed with high-ranking officials of the  Central and State govt.