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Goa may approach finance ministry

Goa is planning to approach the Union finance ministry and the income tax authorities in Delhi to probe accumulation of disproportionate assets by three former Congress ministers.

The alleged scandals they are involved in, are being investigated by the state police.

"Probing disproportionate assets is beyond the scope of the police department," stated Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. He is also upset that the local IT authorities did not take cognisance of his request.

The Congress legislators listed by Parrikar include former deputy chief minister Dayanand Narvekar, who as president of the Goa Cricket Association, is allegedly involved in a bogus ticket racket at the final One Day International played in Goa between India and Australia on April 6.

Former power minister Mauvin Godinho was arrested by the police last week in connection with a multi-crore power rebate scam. Somnath Zuwarkar, another Congress MLA and chairman of the Goa State Co-operative Bank Ltd, was also arrested in a bank scam.

"The police at the most can probe tangible assets, but not intangible assets held by these three politicians through benami deals," stated Parrikar. Though they have filed their assets before the governor, he feels that the statement is not in tune with what they actually posses.

He has also sent a detailed report to Union Home Minister L K Advani regarding these three cases. "Though it is not required to be sent through the official channels, I have sent it personally for his information," stated Parrikar.

Meanwhile, the general body meeting of the GCA, held in Narvekar's absence, voted on crucial issues of expressing no confidence in Narvekar, secretary Vinod Phadke and the managing committee, besides expelling treasurer Rama Shankardas.

While Shankardas was arrested by the police along with the ticket contractor and a few others, Narvekar and Phadke had managed to seek bail from the high court, but only after stripping them of their official positions for a month. They will again take over on May 26.

Many dissident GCA members managed to hold the AGM in Narvekar's absence, but the ballot boxes would be now opened in the district court, before whom five members have challenged holding of the AGM. The next hearing of it is on June 8.

As the high court verdict to grant bail to Narvekar is being challenged by the state police in the apex court, investigations into the bogus ticket scam came to a grinding halt. "We are waiting for the court judgement," stated Karnal Singh, the DIG of Police.

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