VRISHANK MAHATME
PANJIM: In what could be termed as utter misuse of power and public funds, an internal inquiry report of the Fisheries Department has revealed that several persons who are not members of the Mandovi Fishermen Cooperative Society were availing benefits which were exclusively meant for members of the cooperative society and this led to a loss of Rs 2.04 crore to the exchequer in the last three years.
The inquiry report, accessed by Herald, clearly states, “Around 55 in numbers have not been admitted to the membership fold of the society as yet but even then these non-members are enjoying all the facilities of the members such as availing of subsidy on diesel, ice, leath in contravention to the provision of bye laws.”
“The amount of subsidy availed by these 55 non-members approximately work out to Rs 2.04 crore. The amount of subsidy availed by those 55 non-members in the year 2013-14 was Rs 52 lakh then in 2014-15 the amount availed was Rs 58,50,000 and recently in year 2015-16 the amount availed was Rs 93,50,000,” the inquiry report said.
Sources said that the rules of the Fisheries Department state that availing of subsidy on diesel, ice and leath is only meant for registered members of the cooperative society and not for non-members.
Sources further revealed that new Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar came across this startling find during his inspection at the department.
As Herald spoke to the Fisheries Minister he, however, chose to remain mum on the issue stating, “There are many irregularities such as encroachment at the Malim jetty and I have asked the department to submitted detailed report by May 8. About this particular case I will look into it and get back. I have no offhand knowledge.”
The report also states that out of the 27 fish retailing stalls only five are operated by local traditional members and fishermen of the society and rest have been taken on lease by other members and are illegally subverted to non-members who are mostly migrants from Tamil Nadu.
Sources further said that the records related to this matter at the time of inquiry revealed that Directorate of Fisheries is silent over allotment of space, stall and boxes.
Efforts to contact former Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado for his comments proved futile.
