MARGAO
Theinvestors also threatened to stage a hunger strike if their demands are not metwithin the 15-day period, warning that the government and the authorities willbe solely responsible for any untoward incident.
Dramaunfolded at the office of the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative SocietiesSouth P A Parab when the beleaguered depositors descended on the office,demanding to know the status of their demand for the return of their depositsand the arrests of the accused persons.
Asthe Assistant Registrar tried to leave the place on his two-wheeler withoutgiving any firm assurance on their demands, one of the depositors lied on theground before the vehicle with a plea to hear the anxious depositors and workout a solution.
Thedepositors demanded to know from the Assistant Registrar why no action has beeninitiated against the accused persons and the staff responsible for the presentstate of the society. They further demanded the suspension of the official whowas manning the office before the incumbent official assumed charge.
MariaVanda Gomes warned that the patience of the depositors was running out with theauthorities not taking any action against those responsible for the sorry stateof affairs of the society.
“AroundRs 54 crore belonging to the common man, including widows, are with thesociety. We want our deposits back,” she said, warning that they will have nooption but to descend on the roads with their families.
Adepositor from Colva, Joseph Rodrigues, said the depositors, includingseafarers, Gulf returnees and the widows are only demanding the return of theirdeposits.
He said the Chief MinisterPramod Sawant had around seven months ago promised to take steps to help thedepositors get back their money. “Neither have we got back our deposits nor hasthe Chief Minister fulfilled his promise to put behind bars all those involvedin the fraud,” Joseph said and urged the government to help the beleaguereddepositors.
