PANAJI
Though belated, the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of illegal appointment and regularization of a law officer after the matter was raised in the Assembly this week.
The GIDC has now also decided to obtain government approval for all regular posts for future vacancies.
“The allegations are very serious. I have ordered a detailed inquiry. Appropriate action will be taken as per the facts and law,” GIDC Chairman Aleixo Lourenco said speaking to The Goan.
In a heated discussion, Vijai Sardesai accused the GIDC of illegally appointing a law officer way back in 2005 despite contravention of existing government orders. The post was even regularised by the Corporation, allegedly by concealing information from the government and manipulating recruitment rules to elevate the law officer to the position of Deputy General Manager (Law).
"The law officer is tasked with advising the GIDC on significant matters such as the Special Economic Zones (SEZ), the Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme, and coal block issues. The Corporation encountered serious litigations in all these areas, which resulted in massive financial losses. The illegal appointment of incompetent officers has adversely affected the Corporation's legal standing," Sardesai alleged during a discussion in the House.
Lourenco, when asked why the GIDC remained silent over the years, conceded that the matter only came to light after it was raised in the Assembly. The fate of this officer will now be known after the inquiry,” he replied to The Goan.
The Assembly discussed the negative impact of such appointments on the legal integrity of the GIDC, attributing the Corporation's poor performance and financial losses to the incompetence of such officers. The GIDC was also criticized for harming the prospects of deserving youth seeking employment opportunities.
The legislators also demanded Minister for Industries Mauvin Godinho’s intervention to inquire into these alleged illegal appointments and take corrective actions.
