PANJIM: The Monsoon Session of the Legislative Assembly scheduled to start on Monday is set to see some stormy scenes over the allegations of Industries Minister Mahadev Naik having misappropriated funds, which he availed as a loan from the Goa Assembly by virtue of being an MLA.
Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai said they would not allow the House to conduct any business until Naik resigns. Lourenco and Sardesai had earlier criticised the Legislature Department for not giving them enough time in the Assembly to ask their questions.
On Thursday, Generation Next had alleged that in 2010, Naik had obtained a loan of Rs 30 lakh from the Goa Assembly, which he used to secure five shops in Ponda. The loan, which Goa Assembly gives MLAs, is solely for purchase of a flat or a bungalow, whereas Naik purchased shops, Generation Next president Durgadas Kamat had said.
The loan was granted after the builder gave the offer letter to the MLA and on that basis; the funds were released by Goa Assembly. The flat, according to conditions of the loan, should be mortgaged with Goa Assembly, but Naik has mortgaged somebody else’s flat, Kamat alleged.
Lourenco also said that he had sought details from the Legislature Department regarding Naik’s loan. Legislature Department sources said that Naik paid Rs 21 lakh on July 6, and closed the loan as the Legislature Department was receiving RTI applications regarding the loan.
Kamat had demanded that the chief minister sack Naik and appealed to the Speaker to file an FIR against the minister for cheating.
Generation Next also demanded an audit of the loans availed by all the MLAs, as Naik has given the shops on rent for Rs 1 lakh monthly to a bank. The allegations have been made based on information sourced under the RTI Act.
