PANAJI
Even though the controversial recruitment process of the Public Works Department (PWD) was scrapped by the government, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai questioned inaction into a Vigilance report that recommended a detailed inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).
Speaking during the discussion on the grants for PWD, Sardesai revisited the matter, which after its expose in 2021, prompted the government to constitute a three-member committee as well as a Vigilance probe.
“The committee was formed to examine discrepancies and fiasco behind the PWD recruitment scam. But the government has sent us an incomplete report… The committee recommended re-verifying the roster while raising the possibility of manipulation,” he said.
The legislator further referred to the Vigilance report which indicted a criminal angle into the scam, and recommended a detailed inquiry. “But the government has failed to take action on any of the recommendations. Why,” he sought to know.
The inquiry pointed out irregularities in the conduct of the entire recruitment process, beginning with assessment of vacancies, its reservation, conduct of written/screening lists, assessment process, mismatch of candidates signatures, etc.
“This, therefore, requires further and more detailed inquiry, considering the factual aspects of the examination and its conduct, indicating a criminal angle. Responsibility also needs to be fixed. …Detailed PWD JOBS inquiry to be carried out by the ACB of this Directorate,” it said, as Sardesai read extracts of the findings on the floor of the House.
Quoting Minister Atanasio Monserrate’s complaint to the government alleging PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral took a bribe of Rs 25-30 lakh from each selected candidate, Sardesai reposed faith in the minister’s honesty. “I believe that he (Cabral) will not resort to all this… He won’t take a bribe,” the Goa Forward Party leader said.
