PANAJI
With prolonged delay to file a charge-sheet against retired mines officer Ramnath Shetgaonkar -- booked for facilitating illegalities in mining -- Goa government has finally agreed to release his pension pending since his year of retirement in May 2018.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted in 2013 to investigate the mega scam involving politicians, bureaucrats and mining operators among others, arrested Shetgaonkar on November 7, 2017 for his alleged involvement in the case.
He was the Assistant Geologist involved in the inspection of several mining sites, and he was suspected to have facilitated illegalities in mining. Shetgaonkar was also accused of keeping his higher-ups in the dark about the alleged theft of iron ore by firms and individuals.
While he was subsequently released on conditional bail, he retired with effect from April 30, 2018 as a Gazetted Officer in the Directorate of Mines and Geology. Since the department failed to release his pension, Shetgaonkar approached the Goa Human Rights Commission seeking relief.
His parent department, which was made one of the Respondents, informed the Commission that the Complainant was suspended on December 6, 2017. The matter was referred to the Advocate General for his opinion, who noted that the Complainant had not been charge-sheeted in Crime No.15/2013. In his opinion to the department, the AG stated that the Director of Mines and Geology, being the appointing authority may review the order of suspension as provided under Rule 10(5)(c) of the CSS (CCA) Rules, 1965 and pass appropriate order.
The Commission agreed with the opinion and accordingly recommended the department for compliance. The Department “on approval of the government on November 7, 200” directed the Department of Account to release Shetgaonkar’s provisional pension with effect from May 1, 2018. The letter signed by Mines Director S Shanbhogue to the Deputy Director of Accounts was thereafter submitted to the commission for the record.
