PANAJI
In a sensational twist into the jobs-for-cash scam that rocked Goa over a year and half ago, prime accused, Pooja Naik, has alleged that a cabinet minister, an IAS officer, and a Public Works Department (PWD) engineer were involved in the racket.
Speaking to Prudent Media on Friday, Naik claimed that the deal was of over Rs 17 crore in 'hard cash' paid to the concerned top people on behalf of more than 600 job aspirants, with the assurance of government employment.
While she revealed the names of the IAS and the PWD officers, she warned that she would expose the minister and all those who "pushed her into this corrupt practices" if they failed to return the amount within 24 hours.
“I am repaying the applicants in whatever way I can, since the main recipients have refused to return my money. I haven't received a single penny from those who received Rs 17 crore (bribe) cash... Not a single applicant was given a job,” she added, while accepting that she received commission for facilitating the deals.
According to her account, the transactions took place between 2019 and 2021 during the period when Rs 2,000 notes were in circulation. She claimed that she was specifically instructed to make payments in Rs 2,000 denominations, though Rs 500 notes were also accepted.
Naik told the channel that the alleged masterminds in the scam had assured her that all candidates who paid the bribe would secure jobs, and if any candidate withdrew, the money would be returned within 45 days.
Explaining the alleged modus operandi, she said she was informed about vacancies in various departments, each post carrying a “specific rate.” She was then asked to collect applications and the corresponding bribe amount.
“The money (bribe) was handed over in two Porvorim offices and even at the Secretariat. Those people accepted only hard cash,” she claimed.
While warning she would publicly name the minister and officials if the money was not returned within the stipulated period, Naik appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, LoP Yuri Alemao and local MLA to help her get the money back.
