Lokayukta to probe agro-health scams
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Former health and agriculture minister Vishwajit Rane could be headed for trouble with sources saying that the State government had handed over the alleged agro-health recruitment scams to Lokayukta Justice (retired) B Sudershan Reddy for investigation.
Speaking to Herald, Lokayukta Reddy said that State government has filed three cases which would be verified prima facie. He, however, refused to divulge the details of the cases.
“There will be no deadline for any investigation or case to be disposed off as the period of trial will depend on the type of case,” he said adding ‘the details of cases cannot be told’.
Sources revealed that the Vigilance Department, after conducting the preliminary investigation has handed over the case to Goa Lokayukta. The decision came following Parrikar’s assurance to the House during the recently concluded Budget session, wherein he had termed the recruitment process as scam.
In Agriculture Department, 41 out of 81 posts filled were from Sattari taluka, represented by Vishwajeet Rane. Similarly, the Goa Medical College and the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour had filled 255 posts out of 556 from Sattari alone.
The Goa Lokyaukta had received its first complaint in April against Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Dattaprasad Kholkar, Deputy Chairman of the Goa State Planning Board, accusing them of misusing their power. The investigation is currently in the preliminary stage.
The second case challenging the very appointment of the Lokayukta, has been kept on hold as a petition is being heard in the Bombay High Court at Goa.
Reddy said that his office had received the letter about recent amendments to the Act, passed in the Assembly and which accordingly, assent was granted by Governor. “We have received the letter about the amendments. We would be working as per the latest amendments,” he said.
As per the amendments, Section 19 (1) of the Principal Act, seeks to impose a fine of Rs 10,000 extended up to Rs 1 lakh for a false, frivolous and vexatious complaint against public functionaries. Earlier, the fine ranged between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for false and frivolous complaints.
Meanwhile, Reddy said that government has submitted a list of DySPs who could be deputed with Lokayukta.
“We will select one best officer and form a team. Credibility and efficiency of officer is very important and would be looked as priority,” he said.
