MARGAO
Before laying down office, outgoing Goa Lokayukta Justice P K Misra citing the Margao Municipal Council tendering case had observed that it was not uncommon in Goa to see works being taken up without following proper procedure and at times there was duplication of works.
In fact, Justice Misra had observed in his order in the MMC tendering case that the Chief Secretary, being the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), was required to scrutinise the works undertaken.
In the MMC tendering case, the Goa Lokayukta ordered the ACB for an appropriate inquiry by a responsible officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Justice P K Misra further directed the ACB to carry out the inquiry as expeditiously as possible, preferably within 60 days from the receipt of the report.
That’s not all. The Lokayukta further said no further work should be undertaken by the MMC, except the ongoing work, unless clearance was given by the ACB.
The Goa Lokayukta, which had taken suo moto cognizance of the tendering case, further directed the Director of Municipal Administration to complete his inquiry and submit such report before the ACB within 60 days.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Council for Margao has expressed its satisfaction in inquiry ordered by the Lokayukta and has demanded that it should be completed on top priority.
SCM members led by former Chairperson Savio Coutinho, who assembled in front of the MMC building on Tuesday to thank the Lokayukta for the order, demanded that the guilty councillors be barred from contesting elections again.
The SCM further demanded that all the fees payable to the legal counsel engaged to represent the council should be recovered from the councillors.
Coutinho pointed out that the Lokayukta in his report stated that the materials contained in the pen drive and the photographs produced by the Shadow Council give a clear picture of the shoddy nature of works being undertaken.
