TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Two former caretakers of Apna Ghar have demanded that the Goa government carry out an inquiry into the appointments of seven male caretakers, alleging it to be a scam.
Speaking to reporters, Nilesh Parwal and Siddhart Vast alleged that the department of Women and Child Development, had appointed the seven caretakers on a permanent basis in February this year, based on bogus certificates.
“The appointments of seven caretakers were, despite bogus certificates, including experience certificates submitted to the department. We do not know whether the candidates furnished fake certificates or the department annexed in the applications…” Vast claimed basing his allegations on information obtained under the Right to Information Act.
He said one of them had not applied for the post but has been appointed nonetheless. The two youth were appointed as caretakers, on contract from November 2012 to November 2013.
“The government should conduct an inquiry and bring to book all the culprits even if it involves department officials,” he demanded.
They also reeled off several irregularities occurring within the Apna Ghar, once again alleging involvement of higher ups at Apna Ghar as well as in the department. Vast said the violence by juvenile inmates is a creation by the higher-ups. “The lower staff and the children are harassed by the higher-ups. The breaking of the objects in Apna Ghar are because we believe there is a nexus between officers and a contractor,” he further alleged.
The two have also demanded to know as to why recommendations in the Levinson Martins-inquiry report into the series of escapes of children from the Home, have not yet been implemented. Vast alleged it was particularly to shield the persons/officials and an NGO indicted in the case.
