Panaji: The Congress party in Goa on Tuesday demanded a judicial inquiry into the allegations made by cash-for-jobs scam accused Puja Naik, who claimed that she had paid a state minister to secure government jobs.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao told reporters that the BJP government in Goa has been protecting those involved in the scam.
He said that Naik had named the minister in her statement after her arrest a year ago, but the chargesheet filed against her has no mention of it.
Alemao said that people have lost faith in the police department and hence a high-level judicial inquiry should be initiated into the allegations made by her.
Puja Naik, arrested last year and currently out on bail, posted a video on social media on Friday alleging the involvement of a minister from the Sawant-led cabinet and two others in the multi-crore scam. Without naming the minister, a senior IAS officer, and an engineer, Naik claimed that she had been collecting money from victims on their behalf, who are yet to return around ₹17 crore.
Alemao on Tuesday questioned why agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department have not taken action after she spoke about the ₹17 crore amount.
“They should have investigated this case,” he said, adding that the money was collected from gullible educated youths who are searching for employment.
The LoP said that there is no trust in this government to deliver justice to the victims of the cash-for-jobs scam.
Naik is currently being investigated by the Crime Branch and Bicholim Police, who had earlier arrested her in connection with cases filed by various victims.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured that there will be a thorough investigation into the matter and that the credibility of her statement will be verified.
He said that if there is any substance in her statement, then the guilty persons would be punished.
