Margao: The inquiry into the alleged fake tenders’ scam of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has begun. The Anti-Corruption Branch has initiated the inquiry after the Goa Lokayukta recommended. For the Anti-Corruption Branch, the process has just started. A series of inspections of over 60 sites will be held during the course of the investigation.
The Goa Lokayukta P K Misra, who had taken suo-motu cognisance of the allegations of floating fake tenders against Margao Municipal Council filed a report dated the 14th day of September and recommended an administrative inquiry by the ACB into the tendering process of the council.
Submissions along with photographs on the status of works for the construction of sheds for plastic and dry waste baling machines, which works were granted special permission considering these works to be urgent in nature. These works however did not commence whereby the baling machines, valuing over Rs 20 lakh were left to drench in the rains resulting in their damage.
Already existing roads and drains figured in the tender list, which was seen as an attempt to defraud the public exchequer.
A work in Ward No 21, for providing PCC around Pratibha Housing Society reflects in the tender. The estimated cost is Rs 8 lakh. Incidentally, it happens to be the residence of the ward councillor and falls inside the apartment boundaries.
Work in Ward No 23 has been floated in the tender for laying of full grout for a road having length of 80 metres. On visiting the site it was noticed that road already had grout laid. The work has been estimated at a cost of Rs 2.42 lakh.
Works of de-silting of drains are common in municipal tenders. The Council had decided to undertake the de-silting of “covered drains” exclusively, as it was cited as difficult to get it done by municipal workers departmentally, due to a shortage of workers. However, on-site, the location showed open drains, and with hardly any silt.
Work has been proposed in Ward 24, in front of Government Primary School, Housing Board. The estimated cost for drain and the compound wall is over Rs 3.91 lakh. A drain already exists here and is in perfect condition. Secondly, neither there is scope for spending municipal funds for other departments, that too without any written request from the school.
There are at least 64 such tendered works worth at least Rs 2 crore which are under the cloud of a scam which is alleged by the Shadow Council of Margao. The Lokayukta after finding substance in the complaint has recommended that the inquiry should be conducted by a responsible officer, not below the rank of DySP within a period of 60 days from the receipt of the report.
It may be recalled that in April 2020, the Shadow Council for Margao had alleged that MMC had initiated a tender process for the execution of 64 works, which the SCM charged that majority of the works are fake.
As the complaint had material the DMA had already issued directions to keep most works in abeyance, as such no work is undertaken without following any due procedure.
The report of the Lokayukta further stipulated that unless clearance is given by the ACB, no further work should be undertaken, except the ongoing work which is purported to the tendering process. The report has asked the DMA to complete his inquiry and submit such a report before the ACB within 60 days.
When contacted by the Anti Corruption Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police Sucheta Desai informed, “We have inspected 3 of the over 64 sites which are mentioned in the reports submitted to us. Detailed inspections of the same are pending and will be done in the upcoming days”. The Deputy Superintendent of Police told that her team visited 4 locations. She has another 60 to be visited. “At the site, we have seen the measurements, the proposal put up, requirements, etc,” she said.
Desai told that after the process the ACB will submit their report. The complainants will also be called and the statements will be recorded.
The Chief Officer of the Margao Municipal Council Agnelo Fernandes informed that the team of his engineers had gone along for the inspection. “We have provided the details that have been sought. The inquiry has just started”.
The complainant Shadow Council for Margao has requested that all legal expenses incurred in defending the case should be recovered from the councillors responsible for these works.
