PANAJI
In what could spell trouble for former Minister of Industries, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has sought a probe into Rs 17 crore loss by the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), a whopping amount that was a “faulty calculation” payment made while settling the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) litigation.
Reliable sources told The Goan that the chief minister has taken suo motu cognizance of a news report that published extracts of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India for the year ended March 31, 2020, and subsequently directed authorities to initiate a probe.
The CAG report is also placed before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for its recommendation, based on which an investigation is likely to be sought.
“The CM has taken serious cognizance of the Rs 17 crore loss by the GIDC. As per internal working rules, the Department concerned and its Secretary are required to furnish comments on CAG. The report is now before the PAC of Legislature. The entire matter requires an investigation post recommendation of the PAC or comments of the concerned department,” sources said.
As per the CAG report, due to “faulty calculation”, the GIDC paid an extra amount of Rs 17.32 crore to five companies to settle the SEZ litigation. The GIDC had calculated a settlement amount of Rs 256.57 crore that consisted of construction license fees and interest charged for delay in receipt of license fees from seven SEZ land allottees. The money had to be refunded as part of the compromise formula owing to the land allotment’s cancellation, but, Accountant General Anitha Balakrishna observed, the Government did not appeal to the Supreme Court for submission of the revised calculation and modify the earlier order.
“Thus the faulty calculation of settlement amount and further non-rectification through a legal route led to the avoidable payment of Rs 17.32 crore by GIDC,” it said.
