Team Herald
MARGAO: A new scandal has emerged at the Margao Municipal Council, involving the misappropriation of Rs 17,000 related to Wi-Fi bills. This latest revelation adds to the growing concerns about financial mismanagement within the council. Ironically, the name of Yogesh Shetkar, the staff member accused in the previous Rs 17 lakh scam, has also surfaced in connection with the new scandal.
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The ‘passing of the ball’ from one court to another has further exposed the inefficiencies and dysfunction within the A-class municipality. Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar has alleged that former Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar is involved in the scam. Sankhwalkar claims that the file might have been tampered with after his signature and denies any wrongdoing.
The Chairperson has called for a formal inquiry into the actions of the former Chief Officer. This latest scandal comes after a recent Rs 17 lakh scam involving revenues collected from the feast fair. The civic body had filed a police complaint against lower division clerk Yogesh Shetkar, and both the police and the civic body are still working to recover the embezzled money.
The new scam has stunned the citizens of Margao, with the Chairperson alleging that Yogesh Shetkar’s name appears on the voucher instead of the concerned company, and the voucher is signed by the former Chief Officer. The Chairperson claims that the funds were deposited into Yogesh Shetkar’s loan account rather than being paid to the designated Wi-Fi company.
“Hence, both are responsible for this misappropriation of funds,” alleged the Chairperson in a conversation with O Heraldo.
“There are several other cases of mismanagement of funds during the former Chief Officer Sankhwalkar’s tenure,” alleged Shirodkar. “The former CO has shielded the concerned staff in the case involving Rs 17 lakh.”
Responding to the allegations, Gaurish Sankhwalkar told reporters that he had signed the voucher for the Wi-Fi bill after it had undergone the proper and required procedures. “The voucher was first signed by the taxation officers and then by the accounts officer. The cashier is also at fault; how did he issue the voucher in the name of Yogesh Shetkar instead of the concerned company?” he questioned.
According to the cashier’s explanation, Yogesh Shetkar had claimed that he paid the amount from his own pocket to the concerned company. Gaurish Sankhwalkar stated that the file might have been tampered with after his signature. Additionally, Sankhwalkar alleged that there could be a possibility of the Chairperson’s involvement in the matter, adding further complexity to the ongoing investigation. He also alleged that he possesses several pieces of evidence against the Chairperson concerning illegal activities and fraudulent practices.
Sankhwalkar added that a memo was issued to Yogesh Shetkar soon after the issue came to light.
