Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a serious development, the United Goans Foundation (UGF) has submitted a detailed representation to the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar, and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, alleging a “Breach of Privilege” of the House by Managing Director of Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GoaIDC), Polumatla Pravimal Abhishek (IAS), and former Secretary for Industries, Swetika Sachan (IAS).
The representation points to a contradiction in official responses regarding Legislative Assembly Question (LAQ) No. 129, tabled by MLA Vijai Sardesai on July 18, 2024.
UGF highlighted that the official reply provided in the Assembly on July 18, 2024, claimed that GoaIDC had taken possession of premises at the Myles High building on January 1, 2024. However, a letter issued by the same officer, Polumatla, to the Returning Officer and Collector of North Goa on April 9, 2024, stated that possession of the premises had not yet been taken. UGF argues that this discrepancy amounts to misleading the House, constituting a grave breach of privilege and raising suspicions of a conspiracy to misuse public funds.
The organisation also pointed out that it had previously filed a complaint with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) against Mr. Polumatla for allegedly submitting a false Utilisation Certificate for ASIDE funds, in an attempt to unlawfully access Central Government funds. Following this, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had already issued directions for action against the officer.
UGF has now formally requested that the Speaker consider the matter as a serious breach of privilege and contempt of the House and refer it to the Privileges Committee. It further urged that MLA Reginald Lourenco, who is a member of the committee and also serves as Chairman of GoaIDC, should recuse himself due to his reported close association with the accused official, Mr. Polumatla. The Foundation has also requested that the matter be escalated to the Ministry of Home Affairs and DoPT at both the Centre and State levels for necessary disciplinary proceedings.
In a strong appeal, UGF has called for the suspension of both IAS officers pending inquiry and for a note of this alleged misconduct to be made in their confidential service records. The Foundation has also urged MLA Vijai Sardesai to file a Breach of Privilege Motion in the Assembly for the false information provided and to demand stringent action against those responsible.
