GSHC MD denies graft charges

GSHC MD denies graft charges
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
BELGAUM, FEB 9
Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) Managing Director Orlando Rodrigues on Wednesday denied the charges of corruption in the supply of vegetables from Belgaum.
Rodrigues was accompanying the Goan delegation that arrived at Deputy Commissioner’s office, here, on Wednesday morning.
“Let them prove the allegations,” he quipped when asked about the allegations by the members of the Cantonment Wholesale Vegetable Merchants Association (CWVMA), where they have said that a flat being ‘gifted’ to an authority in the GSHC.
Senior state bureaucrat C P Tripathi, who was a silent observer during the meeting, refrained from making any comments, but was inquisitive about the developments during the meeting.
“Why were the rates of vegetables not enquired from other suppliers while finalizing the order of vegetables,” he asked after a member of the vegetable association suspected entire foul play.
“Our wings are being cut systematically and the policy of GSHC to procure vegetables from only four persons is dangerous and may wipe out very existence,” a member of the CWVMA alleged.
The Association members who have expressed fear of unfair treatment from Goan authorities have been reiterating their demand of transparent dealing for the ultimate benefit of the consumers.
“For the benefit of the Goan consumers, we shall declare the wholesale rates twice a week to the media,” a senior member said.
The members who had gathered in large number at Deputy Commissioner’s office compound during the meeting were highly suspicious and irate as they saw the ‘four’ suppliers accompanying the Goan delegation after the meeting at about 12.30 pm.