PANJIM: Alleging that the previous term of BJP-led government is ‘scam-ridden’, the Congress on Monday demanded that the government immediately hand over the multi-crore beach cleaning scam to the CBI as recommended by the Goa Lokayukta.
Goa Lokayukta, Justice (retired) PK Misra, in his order in the beach cleaning scam case, has asked the government to consider handling over the multi-crore beach cleaning scam to CBI and that ACB reopen the investigation, in view of the possibility of conspiracy and any kickbacks.
Addressing media persons, GPCC general secretary Adv Yatish Naik demanded that the government immediately hand over the case to CBI and initiate action against all those indicted in the case, including then Tourism Minister (Dilip Parulekar).
“We demand that the government immediately adopt the report of Lokayukta and act in that direction. Action should be also initiated against tourism department officials named in the complaint,” he stated.
“We also want government to investigate as under whose instance or pressure ACB closed the case giving a clean chit to the then Tourism Minister,” Naik demanded.
The Congress leader said that the Lokayukta findings clearly indicate that the BJP government’s previous tenure was ridden with scams. Slamming Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had said it will require 90 days time to study the report, Naik questioned the need for three month time to go through the Lokayukta findings, which are based on proper examination of documents and evidence.
“Lokayukta is a constitutional body and I don’t see any reason for the government to restudy the findings of the anti corruption authority,” he said, adding that failure of the government to act will ensure that the attempts are to shield the culprits.
