PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco of presiding over massive irregularities and arbitrary spending at the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), which he heads.
AAP Vice President Roque Mascarenhas said he has written to the Goa Lokayukta urging a suo motu probe into what he described as shocking misuse of public funds. He alleged that branding‑related jobs alone accounted for crores of rupees in questionable expenditure.
Mascarenhas alleged Rs 25 lakh was spent for a logo, another Rs 3 crore for a one‑day 'Invest Goa' event, and Rs 19 crore for the GIDC website.
“This is loot in the garb of promoting industrial investments. Taxpayers’ money is being squandered,” he told reporters.
He said even Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had taken cognisance of the matter after staff of the Corporation flagged concerns.
Mascarenhas questioned whether any jobs had been created for Goan youth or local entrepreneurs encouraged to invest and create jobs with these spends.
The AAP leader further alleged irregularities in land auction earnings and rule changes that gave GIDC arbitrary powers to take over leasehold land.
“This scam is only the tip of the iceberg. We will not allow Goan resources, money or land to be looted. AAP will fight these scams to the bitter end,” he said.
“Industrial promotion cannot become a cover for corruption. Goans deserve transparency and fair opportunities,” he said and demanded swift action from the Lokayukta, stressing that accountability from public representatives was critical.
He said, AAP will continue to press for an investigation and expose what he called systemic misuse of GIDC's mandate by its chairman and BoD.
