PANAJI
Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude has called for the strictest punishment against all involved in job-related bribery, including both the bribe payer and the person demanding and accepting the bribe.
“Strict punishment is needed against all those involved. Those paying for jobs and those accepting money must be held accountable,” he said replying to a media question on the sidelines of a press conference today.
The State has witnessed a series of arrests including women masterminds operating these rackets. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who initiated the arrests with that of Pooja Naik, has encouraged citizens to report the scam to the police. He also urged the people not to fear approaching the authorities with their grievances. “Not a single person will be spared. We have taken the cases very seriously,” Sawant stated.
With this, Opposition parties have also intensified calls for a thorough investigation. Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the scam, which he described as a "Job Mafia" operating within the State's recruitment system. “A dedicated SIT should be established to investigate the job scam, composed of professionals from outside the state administration to ensure an impartial review,” he said.
The Aam Aadmi Party also demanded a detailed inquiry with its State Unit President Amit Palekar seeking a Judicial Commission. "The government should set up a Judicial Commission consisting of retired High Court judges to investigate the widespread job scams where people are tricked into paying for government jobs," Palekar said.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas described the scam as "Naukari for Tokri" and urged young Goans who have fallen victim to come forward. "This scam is allegedly one of the biggest in India right now," Viegas said, urging the public to file complaints and stand up against the corruption.
More than a dozen people, including an IRB constable and a police constable, have been arrested in job scam cases, during the past few days.
