PANAJI
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday assured to conduct an inquiry into the alleged violation of Central Civil Services (CCS) Rules by Electricity Department Junior Engineer Kashinath Shetye. He also stated that Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) would conduct an inquiry into the disproportionate assets of Shetye.
Speaking on the Floor of the House, Parrikar said, "This is a serious issue. This person has violated every rule and regulation. In the last five years, he has made 459 applications for leave. I was trying to reconcile them with court appearances. There are 195 court cases he has filed making me wonder when he was working for the government. I will appoint a senior officer, preferably from All-India Cadre to reconcile everything with the assistance of Vigilance department to find out when he appeared in the court and when he was in the department."
The issue was raised by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral who sought to know if Kashinath Shetye, who is working as a Junior Engineer at the Electricity Department, has violated any CCS rules.
"There are gross violations. I want to know what is the action taken by the Department", he asked.
Responding, Madkaikar stated that Chief Minister would be in a better position to answer as there are many departments involved.
"The question seeks detailed information and is also not specific to my department only. In fact various departments are involved in this question including Vigilance, Personnel, Police, etc. Though this employee is working in my department, the question pertains to various departments. So I think Chief Minister would be in a better position to give a detailed answer", said Madkaikar.
Pointing out that none of Shetye's leave applications have been rejected by the Department, Cabral demanded, "Inquiry has to be also conducted on officers who have granted him leave. I don't want local officers but IPS officer to conduct the inquiry."
Supporting him, Madkaikar too said that he would conduct a departmental inquiry into Shetye's leave applications sanctioned, at least 50 per cent of which were for half a day.
Parrikar, however, intervened and said, "I totally agree with the sentiments of the Minister (Madkaikar). He seems to be having free run at the cost of government for the last five years, which clearly means the Department will not be able to conduct a fair and proper inquiry. Within eight days I will appoint someone to get into the details. This requires a complete analysis of when he has applied for the leave, which officer sanctioned it, whether his leave application matches with the dates he appeared in the court, etc."
"His leave period has exceeded 18-19 days per month continuously, which I feel will even go upto more than 60 per cent. He is supposed to be civil engineer, I want to know when he was doing the supervision and when he was performing his duties", assured Parrikar.
Cabral also pointed out that Shetye has a got a gun licence transferred in his name.
"There is a case where he has transferred a gun licence in his name. How can a government servant without permission do it? I also want to know how he could manage expenses on accommodation, transportation and traveling for the cases he filed. I have also received his disproportionate assets in my reply. Every angle has to be investigated", Cabral demanded.
Assuring Cabral, CM said, "The case of disproportionate assets will be handed over to ACB and a dedicated officer will be given to find out how he could do all this. Also, with this kind of background, i don't think he can keep a gun. I will find out if he can hold a gun licence. Right now I cannot reveal many things because you have also moved privilege motion against the person so some investigation is a part of privilege motion."
"I have realised that none of his cases have been filed against officials of his department. This itself makes for filing case", remarked Parrikar.
