Team Herald
PANJIM: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Goa Unit on Wednesday has filed an FIR against Meta Copper & Alloy Ltd (formerly Meta Strips Ltd) and others involved in the scam for ‘abuse of official position’, ‘criminal conspiracy’, ‘cheating’ and ‘criminal misconduct’, following complaints filed by United Goan Foundation (UGF).
UGF accused the Pramod Sawant-led State government of trying to protect the guilty, in connection with the controversy surrounding the land deal between Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and Meta Copper & Alloy Ltd (MACL) and related issues.
While addressing to the media, UGF said it will be approaching the High Court, requesting it to direct the CBI to undertake a thorough probe into the involvement and actions of the then industries minister and those officials involved such as Govt of Goa staff, IAS officer, GIDC Managing Director & officers and Civil Registrar.
UGF president Aashish Kamat explained that their complaints were filed against the involved individuals for conspiracy, corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, dishonest concealment in a bid to cheat Canara Bank, a public sector undertaking, for more than Rs 300 crore and GIDC, a Govt of Goa Undertaking, and the Government of Goa for Rs 26 crore, all for personal gains.
UGF recalled that they had filed complaints in February 2020, with the CM, Chief Secretary, Industries Minister and Secretary, Finance Secretary, State Registrar cum Head of Notary Services, CBI, Chief Vigilance Commission and the Vigilance officer of Canara Bank.
In those complaints, UGF had alleged that the major scam had been undertaken by various functionaries and officers of Goa Government, officers of Canara Bank, directors of MACL and the directors of other private companies involved.
Whilst in possession of CBI’s FIR, Kamat, alleged that the land in question, had been transferred illegally against all laid down rules during the code of conduct of the 2017 State elections.
“The illegal transfer procedure was flagged by none other than the then CM (late) Manohar Parrikar in 2017 and based on whose instructions enquiry was conducted but no action was taken as the IAS officer colluded to protect the conspirators at the Department of Industries level,” said Kamat.
“The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) too questioned the transfer undertaken in the matter as well as loss of Rs 26 crore to GIDC,” Kamat added.
UGF also made allegations against GIDC officials and its board for not intervening or taking action regarding other irregularities they had raised regarding the use of the land.
