PANJIM: Against the backdrop of a conman from Uttar Pradesh being arrested for masquerading as a minister and enjoying the State hospitality, the Goa government has decided to put in place stringent protocol laws making ‘cross-verification’ of the person mandatory, before according ‘State Guest’ status. 

Sunil Singh, along with his four accomplices, was arrested by Crime Branch this week following directions from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The accused, currently in police remand, had enjoyed status as a State Guest after posing as Cooperation minister from Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking to media persons, Protocol Minister Mauvin Godinho said the incident is serious and accountability has to be fixed against the concerned officers for the lapses. “It is a very serious issue, which cannot be ignored. I will pull up my department for the lapses. Though, we are not exactly to be blamed, there should have been verification,” the Minister said, adding that the State Guest status was accorded following a request from within (government). 

Godinho said that in order to avoid such instances in the future, protocol laws would be made more stringent. “I will move a file for this, seeking that in future cross verification of the person has to be held, irrespective of who has recommended, before making him or her a State Guest,” he said. 

The Minister said that a criminal case against the four has already been filed, but the government will assess the expenditure on them, to recover it. 

Singh stayed at the State guest house for almost 12 days before being caught on Tuesday. He had even sought an appointment with the chief minister. He was provided a Personal Security Officer and a vehicle as he had produced forged documents to identify himself as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government.