PANJIM: With the Special Investigating Team (SIT) of Goa Police failing to chargesheet former assistant geologist of Mines Department Ramnath Shetgaonkar in the infamous mining scam, five years after he was arrested, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has asked the Directorate of Accounts (DoA) to release his pension benefits.
The communiqué is following the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) directives to the State government to revoke the suspension order and release the due pension of Shetgaonkar.
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In November 2017, the SIT had arrested Shetgaonkar for failing to put criminal action into motion for theft of iron ore by individual, firms, etc. He was accordingly placed under suspension, four months before his retirement (April 2018).
Shetgaonkar had then moved the GHRC seeking release of his pension benefit.
During the course of hearing, the GHRC referred the matter to the Advocate General for his opinion and he noted that the complainant had not been chargesheeted in crime and opined that the Director of Mines and Geology, being the appointing authority may review the order of suspension as provided under Rule 10(5)(c) of the CSS (CCA) Rules, 1965 and pass appropriate order.
The Commission accepted the opinion of the Advocate General and directed the Mines Department to review the order of suspension, within 60 days, to enable the release of Shetgaonkar’s pension.
