PANJIM: Hope Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation has moved the Lokayukta alleging massive scam in the purchase of dustbins while accusing Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, Tourism Director Sanjiv Gadkar and Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd of being involved in the criminal offence.
After failing to get respite from the government over its demand to inquire into the matter, NGO’s director Inacio Domnick Pereira on Tuesday filed a formal complaint with the Ombudsman and demanded resignation of the minister.
Addressing a press conference thereafter, Pereira alleged that he has procured various documents under Right to Information (RTI) to support the NGO’s claim that bulk purchase of dust bins by Tourism Department through Drishti was without tendering the works. “The entire scam is worth Rs 64 lakh. Interestingly, none of the dustbins procured except for one lot has bill provided to the department though the money has been released. The bill that is provided for a single lot has the non-existing address of a firm based at Ponda. It is thus clear that Drishti has produced fake bills in a bid to loot government exchequer,” he claimed.
As per the information, the agency purchased the first lot of 178 dustbins at approx Rs 6.72 lakh followed by 255 dustbins at Rs 17 lakh. The third lot comprised of 710 dust bins at Rs 24.71 lakh while another 710 ART dust bins were procured at Rs 30.63 lakh.
Pereira alleged that the director failed to specify the requirement number of dustbins to be placed on beaches in the absence of any contract or agreement. “The bills were manipulated by the department thereby amounting to corruption of government funds. Moreover, the government has extended the contract given to Drishti to clean the beach without tendering the works,” he further claimed adding that they have prayed before Lokayukta that interim order may be passed on buying further dustbins.
The NGO also demands that all the officers involved in the scam be suspended and recovery be initiated.
