Goa CM rules out inquiry into beach cleaning ‘scam’

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-CM-rules-out-inquiry-into-beach-cleaning-scam/articleshow/51403914.cms

 

Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar denied the allegation of a scam in beach cleaning and admitted that there is shortcoming in the implementation of the beach cleaning mechanism.

Parsekar met mediapersons following the ruckus in the assembly over the beach cleaning scam. Speaking to mediapersons at the assembly complex at Porvorim, Parsekar ruled out a government inquiry into the beach cleaning scam.

He also said that if the opposition finds anything wrong in the reply given in the house, then they are free to lodge a police complaint.

Parsekar said that he has given the entire file to the opposition, they could have studied, questioned and cornered the government, but they disrupted the house deliberately to create a hype and target the government on beach cleaning.

He also said that the government has made payment to both beach cleaning companies after deducting 40 percent of their actual payment. Government has hired two companies, one each in north and south Goa for beach cleaning at the amount of 14 crore. Parsekar said from September 2014 to July 2015, the state government has made a payment of around 9 crore to both the companies.

During the Congress government, the same beach cleaning contract was given to a local at an amount of 2 crore. Parsekar said that because of beach cleaning undertaken by the BJP government, the state’s beaches have been recognized by various travel groups and awards have been given.

He further stated that the government department has carried out around 603 inspections before releasing the payment.

Parsekar said that the opposition did not allow the government to answer the questions raised by former chief minister Digambar Kamat. “It was not necessary for Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai to come down in the well of the house,” he added.
Pointing out to CAG report observations, Parsekar said that the government has followed all the processes before allotting the tender to both the companies for beach cleaning.
Porvorim independent MLA Rohan Khaunte said the government had adopted a very casual approach vis-a-vis allegations by the opposition over beach cleaning contract on the floor of the House. Alleging a scam of 75 crore, Khaunte said the government has lost accountability. “People are given wrong information on the floor of the House,” alleged Khaunte, while reacting to Parsekar’s statement on the issue after Goa legislative session ended on Monday.