PANAJI
The Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of Goa Police has given a clean chit to Congress MLA Michael Lobo into allegations of illegalities in the Outline Development Plan (ODP) giving him much-needed relief.
The ACB has also given a clean chit to Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude in the ‘no tender for Kala Academy’s renovation’ matter
Activist Sudip Tamhankar had lodged a complaint with the ACB, based on a report tabled by Town & Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane in the last assembly session pointing at the vast conversion of tenanted land, cultivated land, no development slopes and mangroves into settlement land in five villages.
The complaint filed on August 8, 2022, sought action. However, an inquiry that lasted for around a fortnight did not find any offence. In its letter to the complainant, Police Inspector (ACB/Vigilance) Ritesh Tari stated, “...petition submitted before this office in your name for conducting an enquiry into the said matter is closed as there is no material to substantiate the contents of the complaint as required under The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.”
The 434 properties which had been changed to settlement zones were located in the villages of Calangute, Candolim, Arpora, Nagoa and Parra. According to the report, the change of zone of the land was carried out in the ODP from the Regional Plan 2021. Though the report did not mention any names or owners of the properties, Tamhankar alleged that ex-NGPDA Chairmen Lobo and Silveira, and others committed alleged corruption, illegalities, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy and personal gratification for the illegal change of zones.
Speaking to The Goan, Tamhankar demanded an answer from the minister about whether the allegations by him against Lobo are true or it was meant to harass others.
Meanwhile, the ACB has also given a clean chit to Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude in the ‘no tender for Kala Academy’s renovation’ matter. As per the complainant, the minister bypassed all the legal protocols to give tender to his “selective person.” Tamhankar alleged that financial approval was also done through circulation which is against the government rules.
