PANAJI
NGO Hope Foundation on Wednesday filed a police complaint against St Cruz panchayat officials, secretaries and Canara Bank officials for withdrawing around Rs 60 lakh rupees through self cheques from June 4, 2017, to June 6, 2020, under the pretext of garbage collection, transportation and disposal.
The complaint points out that the withdrawals were made without any official authorization of the department or government approval.
Speaking to The Goan, Hope Foundation director Inacio Domnick Pereira informed that he has lodged a complaint of fraud, corruption and cheating against the sarpanch and secretaries of St Cruz panchayat allegedly in connivance with the officials of Canara Bank with the Directorate of Vigilance, the Reserve Bank of India and the Bangalore head office as well as the Panaji regional office of Canara Bank in this regard upon discovering the irregularities through RTI queries.
“There was no tender to permit this expenditure. When contacted the vigilance cell of Canara Bank as well as RBI office both confirmed that such withdrawals through self cheques are against the set procedure. I have decided that if no action is taken by the government, I will approach the court seeking justice,” Pereira stated.
