To Goanet - GOA news service -
Panaji: According to a news report in NT, an outsider, Mr Patidar, was arrested yesterday by the Vigilance bureau for accepting Rs 15,000 (fifteen thousand rupees only) in bribes, an amount that was deemed too low by the standards acceptable to Goa and Goans. Digambar Kamat, the CM of Goa, has expressed shock and convened an emergency meeting of his cabinet to address the crisis that threatens to engulf the tiny state. "We cannot tolerate such lapses in our standards," said the CM, adding, "I will personally study the issue and get back to you." The CM was flanked on the left by Mr Alemao and on the right by Mr Rane, both of whom are said to be deeply shaken by Mr Patidar's temerity to demand such a paltry amount. Mr Bansal, President of OGG (Outsiders Guild of Goa), strongly condemned Mr Patidar. In a press release, Mr Bansal noted that for decades Goans have been most solicitous of outsiders. "We have been welcomed with open arms by Goans, and allowed to suck the state dry and enrich ourselves. Such is the legendary Goan tolerance. Even our ghati members have set a tier of 25,000 rupees as the minimum acceptable bribe. Mr Patidar has clearly violated our charter and we have no choice but to expel him." Admin Noronha, Goa's leading gossip-and-smear merchant, smelt a saffron rat in the whole affair and exhorted authorities to explore the saffron angle. Digambar Kamat's footsie dancing partner Dr Oscar Rebello could not be reached for comment. Our Delhi bureau adds: The High Command lead by Smt Sonia Gandhi has been apprised of the Goa crisis and is taking stock of the situation. Smt Gandhi is learnt to have been alarmed at the declining standards. "My family and the chamchas of my family have stolen thousands of crores from India and stashed them away in Swiss bank accounts. We must immediately tackle these slackers," she is learnt to have said.
