Team Herald
PORVORIM: The Opposition cornered the government over the alleged recruitment scam in the Goa Police department with demands to scrap the ongoing process and start afresh.
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Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira alleged that the recruitment process was manipulated and the written, as well as physical tests were rigged. Speaking during the cut motion opposing the demands for grants, Carlos, who has served the State as Advocate General in the past, further sought criminal action against the culprits, even if it involved police officers.
The legislator referred to allegations by former President of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Girish Chodankar pertaining to the scam wherein two aspirants for the post of Police Sub Inspectors (PSI) were illegally made to pass the exams with ‘flying colours.’
“It was based on a complaint by Girish Chodankar that an inquiry was conducted and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made a statement that the allegations in respect of the two persons were found to be true. The allegations were that despite having failed the physical test, these persons were allowed to attend the written test. Surprisingly, they were qualified with flying colours and were in the merit list for being appointed as PSI,” he said as he began exposing the scam on the floor of the House.
Ferreira sought penal action against those who headed and were members of the selection team as well as against the officials who conducted the physical test of the two candidates. “What kind of report has been made by them? If they have given a false report then it is imperative that penal action needs to be taken by filing a vigilance case and criminal cases under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against them,” he said.
“If they were not responsible for giving false certificates, then on what basis have these candidates managed to sneak in and get qualified to appear for the written test?” he asked.
While claiming that irregularities were not possible unless there was the backing of “someone very high-up, either within the police force or some very powerful politician”, the Congress legislator called upon the CM to come clean and explain the circumstances under which the alleged fraud was perpetrated in the Police force.
Congress’ Yuri Alemao also sought action into the alleged scam, which is not restricted to the recruitment of PSIs, but also constables, he said. The legislators also questioned how a candidate who failed in the constables’ written test obtained high marks in the PSI test.
Ferreira further sought to know the government’s wisdom behind calling for documents from the candidates for verification, when there were five committees formed to investigate the scam.
