TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Taking a dig at the Manohar Parrikar-led government for reinstating two government officers who were accused in the Ruby Residency collapse, at Canacona, leading to the death of 31 people, Congress party on Wednesday demanded removal of both Pradeep Naik and Prashant Shirodkar, fearing the possibility that the duo might use their new posting to influence the investigation.
As per the latest government transfer orders, Naik has been posted as new administrative officer of Hospicio and Shirodkar as under secretary, General Administration.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) also demanded that the government should make public the V K Jha Commission of Inquiry report, which was submitted in mid-July. The commission had grilled nearly 50 people including sports Minister and local MLA Ramesh Tawadkar and former Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao and former Canacona MLA Vijai Pai Khot.
Addressing media persons, GPCC spokesperson Durgadas Kamat said, “Chief Minister has said that he does not agree with a few findings of the report. We feel that the report was not tabled due to the same reason.”
Kamat accused the government of trying to shield some political forces or leaders, who were directly or indirectly responsible for the building tragedy, by reinstating Naik and Shirodkar. “The act clearly proves that there is political interference in the investigation,” he said.
Kamat demanded that the government should revoke the posting order of the accused duo, pending inquiry against them. Both Naik and Shirodkar (then chief officers of Canacona municipality) were arrested by Crime Branch in connection with the January 4 building tragedy under section 337, 338, 336, 304, 210B and section 7 and 13 of IPC. Both are currently out on bail.
