Team Herald
MARGAO: The Opposition parties of the INDIA alliance reiterated their demand for a judicial probe led by a retired judge into the ongoing cash-for-jobs scam.
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Addressing a joint press conference Congress MLA, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Amit Palekar, AAP MLA Cruz Silva and Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai, expressed concerns over the political interference and irregularities in the investigation.
Sardesai raised questions about the integrity of the investigation, referring to media reports that fake rubber stamps were discovered at the residence of one of the accused. He demanded updates on the inquiry into forgery ordered by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.
Alleging that the recruitment process across all government jobs in Goa is reeked with scams, Sardesai called for an immediate halt to all recruitment activities. He also pointed out that senior government representatives, including Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, have publicly acknowledged the existence of a “godfather” in the scam, urging the police to investigate these claims.
Sardesai criticized the Goa police for their apparent haste in clearing political figures of any wrongdoing and emphasized the need to identify the “madam” mentioned in a list allegedly prepared by one of the accused, Sandip Parab, detailing bribes and beneficiaries.
Advocate Ferreira exprAAP Velim MLA Cruz Silva emphasized the need to identify candidates who allegedly paid bribes for jobs, ensuring accountability across the board.
AAP President Amit Palekar criticized the Goa Police for conducting press conferences that seemed orchestrated to give politicians a clean chit. He alleged that the Director General of Police (DGP) was opposed to these briefings but was overruled by government pressure.
Palekar further claimed that evidence, including call recordings and tower records linked to the accused and individuals close to the CM, was being destroyed. He expressed doubts over the mysterious death of a whistleblower, Shridhar Satarkar, suggesting foul play and manipulation in labeling it as suicide.
He alleged that the Chief Minister is directly controlling the investigation, which is being rushed to obscure the involvement of key political figures. Palekar further stated, “The entire scam is orchestrated by one empress, with all roads leading to Sanquelim.”
CONG TO PROTEST at azad maidan TODAY
PANJIM: The opposition Congress Party will stage a protest at the Azad Maidan, Panjim at 11 am on Saturday, November 23, to demand a judicial probe into the cash-for-jobs scam.
On November 11, a delegation led by Goa Pradesh Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar submitted a memorandum and an audio clip to Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar urging him to find out who the “Vishwajit” in the cash-for-jobs scam accused Deepashree Sawant was referring to.
The Congress had given an ultimatum to the government to constitute the judicial commission by November 18, failing which they would come on the streets and protest.
