Team Herald
PANJIM: The war of words between Panjim MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate and PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar ahead off the State Assembly elections 2022 has escalated with allegations and counter-allegations over the alleged job scam.
Babush, in his continued attack on the minister, alleged that the scam is to the tune of Rs 70 crore as 90 per cent of the jobs are sold by the latter on accepting the bribe. The legislator further alleged that Rs 35 lakh bribe was already accepted and the highest bidder got the highest marks.
He added that Pauskar and minister Michael Lobo almost got into a verbal duel in a starred hotel over the issue. “I will not rest till entire scam is exposed,” Babush said. He demanded that Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant should act against the minister in the scam.
On the other hand, Pauskar claimed that Babush had recommended including some names for the vacancies in his department but the recruitment procedure cannot be compromised, which has led to Babush’s anger. “All the procedures are adopted with regards to vacancies and are legal. I have not interfered in anyway. Allegations by Babush against me are baseless, there is no truth in them,” Pauskar added.
He slammed Babush for blaming him without evidence stating, “Anyone can blame you but it should be proved.”
On Saturday, Babush also demanded scrapping the list of selected candidates as eligible candidates are denied the jobs. According to him, the Chief Minister will meet the concerned with regards to the issue
If not just this, BJP finds itself on the back foot as its own MLAs are also alleging unfair recruitment in the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim. Three MLAs held a meeting with the GMC Director (Administration) and sought the intervention of CM Sawant to address the concerns that the majority of vacant jobs at GMC have gone to candidates who live in Valpoi and Poriem constituencies, which are represented by Health Minister and BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane and his father Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane.
The CM has not reacted to the allegations so far.
