the goan I network
CANACONA
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Janardhan Bhandari has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, claiming various irregularities and corruption at border check-posts in the State.
Bhandari, who is also National Students Union of India (NSUI) Goa unit in-charge, stated that Congress youth teams had visited various border check-posts at Polem, Dhargal, Dodamarg, Keri and Molem, where they observed various irregularities by officials of various departments.
The memorandum stated that gates at various check-posts are kept open at all times, thus allowing free movement of vehicles without proper documents, carrying illegal and contraband goods including drugs, human trafficking etc for criminal activities.
The memorandum has also raised questions on policemen on duty at various check-posts, who were found not properly armed and ill-equipped to tackle emergency situations.
“As there is no proper checking, people with criminal background get easy access in the State. The lethargic approach of all staff at border check-posts has resulted in stolen items being easily taken to and from Goa,” the memorandum states.
The memorandum has also claimed there has been no proper monitoring by RTO officials at check-posts.
“The RTO officials allow free entry to goods carriers without verifying documents. Vehicles which are overweight and have extra height are allowed entry into the State which has resulted in damage to roads, culverts, bridges etc and have caused accidents,” stated the memorandum.
Alleging corrupt practices in the Food and Drugs Administration, Bhandari stated that vehicles carrying formalin-laced fish are being freely transported in the State in connivance with officials, adding there is no check on the quality of vegetables and fruits transported in the State.
The memorandum has also claimed that liquor is illegally transported in large vehicles outside Goa in connivance with excise officials on duty at check-posts, while the common man who carries a bottle or two for personal consumption with a permit is harassed.
The GPCC general secretary has urged the chief minister to immediately convene a meeting with departments concerned and put a complete stop to corruption at the check posts.
He also demanded that fully operational CCTV cameras should be installed at the check-posts and fully operational weigh-bridges commissioned.
Bhandari has also insisted that laboratories to check the quality of fish, fruits and vegetables need to be set up at all check-posts.
He has warned that if no corrective measures are taken before December 31, the GPCC Youth Wing will agitate at every border check-post.
Copies of the memorandum have been submitted to the chief secretary and both district collectors.
