the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa’s Lokayukta Justice PK Mishra has suggested a CBI probe into a “possible scam” in the infamous scheme of tablet-PCs distribution to school students in the previous term of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s between 2012-14.
In a report in which he has questioned the current Parrikar-led coalition government’s scuttling of a probe into the procurement of thousands of tablets for the scheme in 2013, Justice Mishra has sought that the CBI track down a ‘cartel of businessmen’ who may have rigged the tender.
Mishra’s report which was submitted to the government in January this year, has flagged the administration’s inertia to uncover the truth and suspected that it could be due to “fear of old skeletons” tumbling out. The Lokayukta’s report also questions former Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma’s lackadaisical approach in handling the probe.
“It would be more appropriate, the matter relating to further inquiry relating to the bidding process in 2013-14 in particular and bidding process before 2013 and after 2013 in general, is entrusted to a more independent body such as CBI,” Mishra’s report says.
Mishra says the suggestion for a CBI probe stems from the disinterest displayed by the State’s anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in unearthing the truth about the possibility of “cartelisation” of the purchase of the tablet-PCs in a tender process.
The Lokayukta said, the ACB’s reluctance to actively investigate and conclude its probe is evident from the fact that it kept quiet for two years and failed in completing the inquiry and booking the persons responsible, if any, for conspiracy or even corruption. The Lokayukta conducted the probe following a complaint made by activist Aashish Kamat, who alleged that the state exchequer had been defrauded allegedly to the extent of Rs 12-odd crores by a cartel of businessmen through manipulation of the tendering process by State-owned Infotech Corporation.
The tablet-PC distribution to class V and VI students was launched on Parrikar’s birthday with much fanfare in 2013 making Goa one of the first states in the country to do so. Over 47,000 free tablets were distributed.
The scheme however was withdrawn two years later in 2015 in the reign of Laxmikant Parsekar who succeeded Parrikar after the latter was elevated as Defence Minister.
Mishra also found the role of then Chief Secretary to be “lacking in promptness” in clearing the recommendation for a probe. “It is also worthwhile to indicate that not only in this case but in every case, where the Chief Secretary as the competent authority was required to file ‘action taken or proposed to be taken’ report, no such report has been filed in the stipulated time in any matter,” Mishra’s report said.
