Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has called upon the people of Goa to bring forth to his attention any instances of corruption by his Ministers and MLA’s. Isn’t this sniffing job the task of the officers at the Anti- Corruption branch who sadly today have been reduced to dumb caged parrots of the ruling party?
The Chief Minister’s bonafides on corruption are in doubt as one of his decision after assuming office was to give an extension in service to the then Director of Prosecution Shobha Dhumaskar against whom an F.I.R under the Prevention of Corruption Act was pending. May be its time to set up CCTV cameras at the office and official residences of the Chief Minister and his Ministers, not forgetting the Advocate Genera. And possibly all this should be controlled and monitored by an independent and very vigilant watch dog. When this government took over the reigns of office last March, Mr. Manohar Parrikar had vowed emphatically that it would be Zero tolerance to Corruption. The least that was expected to begin with was for the Chief Minister to reign in his Ministers, MLAs and the coterie of those busy bees hovering around him. Over the last 19 months, the only Parivartan is that the agents, brokers and beneficiaries of corruption have changed. Suffering from no memory loss yet, I clearly recall that on February 20ththis year, I had telephonically given Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar details of how a steel company had to allegedly pay a bribe of a whopping three crores to seek a 20 M.V.A power connection for the expansion of their plant. Ironically the Minister concerned was reportedly directed to deposit that bounty in the BJP coffers. The Chief Minister had categorically assured me that the power connection application by that industrialist would be rejected. But as expected, I am informed today by my source in the electricity department that the application is still under active consideration. Alike the Casino M.V. Horseshoe it looks like this steel company will also find light down the tunnel. Is the Chief Minister trying to tell us that he is sincerely not aware of the rampant corruption that Goa is currently engulfed in? He must be at least in the know of the huge kickbacks from the Casino operators for the blessings and support they are getting from this government. Mr. Chief Minister, you cannot afford to be just silently watching this grim and sordid state of affairs. It’s time to act and sweep away the corrupt. And for this you will have the support of every right thinking Goan. Otherwise the double speak would be too much for the people to bear. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
