In a an interesting turn of events amidst the COVID19 pandemic, Goencho Avaaz filed complaints against the former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and two officials viz. former Director Mines, Prasanna Acharya and then Mining Secretary PK Sain, IAS, who were indicted by the Lokayukta for their incriminating role in the mining scam.
Goencho Avaaz, Capt. Viriato Fernandes said that the blatant corruption that had occurred under the aegis of the three individuals when they held important portfolio/charge in the mining department had to be answered for.
Fernandes stated that the government turning a blind eye to the findings of the Lokayukta that clearly and unequivocally indicted these men for their deep involvement in abetting the crime raised serious doubts in the minds of the people of Goa about the ulterior motives in not acting on the Lokayukta findings, which raises doubts about the direct involvement of the government too.
“Goencho Avaaz would have appreciated if the present government reeling under financial crisis had to take steps to recover the loot, instead of refusal to take any action against the accused,” he said.
Capt Viriato says the non intention to act against the perpetrators of the crime sent a wrong signal to alleged scamsters that they can get away under a laissez faire government and ever ready to do business with looters, which gave an impression that the government is hand in glove with the perpetrators of the mining loot.
It may be recalled that in a complaint pertaining to massive fraud and illegalities in the grant of renewal of 88 mining leases in a most sinister manner and even granting approval to 31 mining leases all on a single day viz. 12 January 2015, the above individuals allegedly had blatantly cleared the files and accorded permission even without the mandatory file notings as well as report from the IBM.
Swapnesh Sherlekar said that the loot of public money through mines that has gone on for decades needs to be stopped and accountability be set in.
“However powerful and strong the person may be, it is necessary that scamsters should be brought to book and made to face the law,” they said.
He concluded that all efforts will be made to bring to book all those who have looted the state and destroyed the land for their own personal profits.
