Team Herald
PANJIM: A delegation of opposition Congress party on Friday met the CBI Goa SP Ashesh Kumar and requested him to take over investigations of some of the infamous corruption cases such as mining and Louis Berger scams registered in the State. There is scope for the CBI to take over the cases of corruption registered in the State.
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The delegation brought to the notice of the CBI ACB Goa about the different agencies operating in the State under the provisions of Central laws such as the the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) that get its powers under the Environment Protection Act. However, whenever there are complaints that require investigations from the Vigilance angle, they do not get disposed. The State Vigilance department is unable to do justice either due to pendency of cases or are working in a controlled environment.
Similar is the case with the State PWD division that oversees the responsibilities of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). If one is to see the hoardings along the highways, there is scope for the CBI to take over the cases of corruption as hoardings still exist despite the directions of the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
Another example which the delegation gave was that of Louis Berger bribery case which was based on the report of an agency from the USA. Such cases are pending for years without any action. Another such case involving loss of revenue was the infamous mining scam in which Justice Shah Commission gave findings of loss of Rs 35,000 crore. The CBI can act in such cases that have international ramifications, they said.
The delegation also requested the CBI ACB authorities to simplify the mechanism to receive complaints wherein the complaint is treated as the first information and does not have to undergo frequent visits to the office. It also requested them to protect identity and confidentiality of persons who lodges complaint. It also urged them to draw around 10 per cent of the department cases for scrutiny and action.
The delegation comprised North Goa Congress president Virendra Shirodkar, former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes, former government employees president John Nazareth, Vijay Bhike and Mahesh Mhambre.
