Says jobs-for-cash investigation found no evidence of payouts to officials
MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that Pooja Naik is the prime accused in the jobs-for-cash scam and that investigations have revealed she spent nearly Rs 17 crore on personal luxuries, contradicting her claim that the money was passed on to others.
Responding during Question Hour to queries raised by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai, Sawant said there was no evidence to suggest that Naik had paid any money to government officers, ministers or other intermediaries.
“The investigation has found that she spent the money on herself – foreign tours, high-end cars, houses, flats and even a JCB machine. There is no proof that any amount was given to anyone else,” the Chief Minister informed the House.
Providing details of the probe, Sawant said a total of 51 complaints have been received in connection with the scam, of which 32 cases have been formally registered, while investigations are ongoing in the remaining 19 cases.
He further disclosed that investigators found Rs 4 crore in cash deposits in Naik’s bank account and another Rs 3 crore in her husband’s account.
“Her bank accounts have been sealed and her properties have been seized,” he said.
The Chief Minister assured that the seized money would be returned to the victims once the court issues appropriate directions.
“Whenever the court gives directions, the recovered amount will be distributed among the people who have been duped,” he added.
Issuing a warning, Sawant said the government would act firmly against job racketeers.
“Nobody will be spared who makes false promises of government or even private jobs. People should stay away from such fake job agents and insist on proper call letters and documentary proof,” he said.
Earlier, Sardesai alleged that despite the scam surfacing in November last year, little progress appeared to have been made. He pointed out that Naik had claimed to have paid Rs 17 crore to a minister and questioned why central agencies had not stepped in.
