Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
Within a month, things seem to have changed across the political spectrum.
Eight MLAs from Congress have split and joined the BJP, and the Chief Minister now has a compulsion to grant ministries to at least three out of eight – most likely Digambar Kamat, Alexio Sequeira and Michael Lobo.
As the rumour mills suggest, the Pitru Paksha (called inauspicious days) are over, and the axe might fall on three current ministers anytime soon to make way for new entrants.
The names of Ravi Naik, Govind Gaude and Nilkanth Halarnkar are making rounds about who may be asked to resign.
Political analysts opine that if Govind Gaude refuses to resign, the case of Kala Academy could be used as an excuse or even in case he is dropped, and he revolts; this case could be handy for CM Dr Pramod Sawant.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
The Directorate of Vigilance has recommended that the Government constitute a three-member technical team to investigate the allegations of corruption in the ongoing Kala Academy renovation work.
What is surprising is that the decision comes within a month of a clean cheat in the case.
Only a month ago, the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) granted a clean chit to Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude in the Kala Academy Renovation works without a tender.
RTI Activist Sudip Tamankar had filed a formal complaint with ACB that Gaude bypassed all the legal methods to grant tender to a selective company or person.
“Petition submitted before this office in your name for conducting an enquiry into the said matter is closed as there is no material to substantiate the contents of the complaint as required under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,” the ACB wrote to Tamankar.
This was on August 25, 2022. Within a month, things seem to have changed across the political spectrum.
Eight MLAs from Congress have split and joined the BJP, and the Chief Minister now has a compulsion to grant ministries to at least three out of eight – most likely Digambar Kamat, Alexio Sequeira and Michael Lobo.
As the rumour mills suggest, the Pitru Paksha (called inauspicious days) are over, and the axe might fall on three current ministers anytime soon to make way for new entrants.
The names of Ravi Naik, Govind Gaude and Nilkanth Halarnkar are making rounds about who may be asked to resign.
Political analysts opine that if Govind Gaude refuses to resign, the case of Kala Academy could be used as an excuse or even in case he is dropped, and he revolts; this case could be handy for CM Dr Pramod Sawant.
While this is just a political hunch, teh CM who holds the Vigilance portfolio needs to be commended for such a move.
A scam is a scam, and nobody can justify that, even by invoking the names of Shahjahan and Akbar.
No matter what intentions the Chief Minister has but it is good that an independent technical committee be set up to investigate the matter in toto.
The Kala Academy Scam…
Despite the Central Vigilance Commission guidelines and diktats of awarding the Government and corporation works above Rs 5 lakh only after tendering, the work of Kala Academy has been awarded on a Nomination basis.
No five lakhs, this work of Rs 49.57 cr has been awarded to Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, on a nomination basis.
The estimated cost of the renovation is Rs.49,57,11,000.00.
The work includes Structural Repairs and allied Civil Works, Plumbing and Drainage Systems, Electrical Works, HVAC Works, and Acoustic Works; estimates were prepared by Work Division V, PWD, Panaji, -Goa and no amount was paid to the PWD.
Gaude says the work was awarded as per government approval and decision. The minister says that the allegations of the scam in tendering are all baseless.
Sources said the brief submitted at the cabinet meeting said that the project has to be awarded to Techton by avoiding tender proceedings considering the urgency and need for timely completion of work.
The “willingness” work order…
The work order issued by Public Works Department says,” your willingness to execute the work mentioned above has been accepted on behalf of the Governor of Goa for an amount of Rs 39,63,73,158 (thirty-nine crore sixty-three lakh seventy-three thousand and one hundred and fifty-eight only), which is at PAR with the estimated cost excluding all taxes and GST of Rs 39,63,73,158.”
