PANAJI
Recent revelations have shed light on a concerning situation within the Office of the Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao as in the last 10 months, several crucial positions in his office, including those of Under Secretary, two Private Secretaries, and one Private Assistant, have remained unfilled.
Sources told The Goan that this curious vacancy could be to facilitate the appointment of two retired government officers.
Reliable sources from the Chief Minister’s Office have corroborated these claims stating that in March 2023, a formal communication was received from the LoP office requesting the appointment of Shamsundar Korgaonkar as the Under Secretary. In a subsequent request in June 2023, the elevation of Shripad Naik to the role of Officer on Special Duty, from his existing position as a Private Secretary, was sought.
However, the proposal has not gained Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s approval.
“Such appointments could spark a controversy because it denies the working government staff the opportunity of promotion and other relevant benefits. As per the Government Rules, the post of Under Secretary needs to be filled from among Junior Scale Officers and not from the retired lot,” an official said.
Sources also said that Naik’s track record had been allegedly controversial. His tenure as the General Manager of the Entertainment Society of Goa was marred by confrontations with the former Chairman of ESG and ex-Fatorda MLA Damodar alias Damu Naik. Similarly, his alleged close association with former Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao was also highlighted.
On the flip side, quite a few opposition MLAs including Congress’ Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira and Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa have appointed staff as per their entitlement.
Further, GAD sources revealed to The Goan that the LoP is allotted an official Innova vehicle, however, he has written to the government to replace it. It has also been learnt that five officers deputed in the CMO have been allotted independent vehicles through Goa Tourism Development Corporation and the staff’s medical reimbursements are paid based on their entitlement.
All this incidentally comes to the fore when the Goa Legislative Assembly passed the Goa Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of the Legislative Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2023, to increase the allowances of legislators despite these expected to add an annual burden of Rs 19 crore to the State exchequer.
