TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Alleging fraud in the sale of mortgaged properties by Goa State Co-operative Bank (GSCB), Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday announced that he would conduct an investigation into the scam, which runs into crores of rupees.
Speaking during the Question Hour, Parrikar said that since the matter pertaining to sale of properties below its value is sub-judice, government will consult the Advocate General and if the inquiry does not amount to contempt of High Court, then will go ahead with the inquiry.
“If High Court directs, we will hand over the matter to CBI,” Chief Minister said pointing to Minister for Co-operation Pandurang Dhavalikar statement, who informed House that one Farida Khan has approach high court over sale of mortgaged properties and has demanded a CBI inquiry.
He was responding to the question raised by Independent MLA Naresh Sawal, who brought to the notice of the House that flats from Immaculate Residency in Panjim of 90 sq mtrs have been sold at cheap rates by the bank to recover the money.
The MLA demanded immediate action against the officers of the bank involved in corruption.
Admitting to the fact, Parrikar said that the properties worth lakhs of rupees are being sold at cheap prices by bank to recover payments from the defaulting borrowers.
“The flat that you are talking about belongs to my constituency (Panjim) and its price cannot be less than Rs 40 to 50 lakh,” he said.
Dhavalikar informing the House said that the flats are being sold at Rs 4 lakh each, only. He said that the properties belonging to Sylvio Pinheiro was sold to recover the loan amount. Minister admitted that sale of property has been done without following proper laws.
“For the financial year 2011-12, the bank suffered a loss of Rs 60 crore,” he said adding ‘we are confident of bringing the Co-operative sector in profit in next three years’.
For the year 2013, we are expecting a profit of Rs 20 crore, he added.
