Panaji: Goa government on Thursday informed Institution of Lokayukta that the process to initiate inquiry by Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), into the tendering of beach cleaning work involving former tourism minister Dilip Parulekar, is in progress.
In an affidavit filed before Lokayukta Justice P K Misra, Director of Tourism Menino D’Souza has said that the state government has started process to re-inquire by Anti Corruption Bureau into the allegations of fraud in beach cleanliness matter.
The affidavit was filed by the department in response to the petition filed by social activist Inacio Domnic Pereira accusing the tourism department of indulging fraudulent purchase of dust bins used for beach cleaning purpose.
The Lokayukta had asked Tourism department to provide detailed response to the petition by Pereira. Justice Misra had also questioned state tourism department over its earlier orders seeking inquiry by ACB into the allegations of fraud in allotting the tenders.
In the affidavit, the Director has mentioned that Lokayukta’s earlier directives of investigation into the fraud of allotting beach cleanliness contract by CBI is being processed.
On September 11, 2017, Lokayukta in its order to a suo motto petition had said that the allegations of fraud while allotting beach cleanliness tender has been substantiated against (then) state tourism minister Dilip Parulekar and it requires investigation by Anti Corruption Bureau (vigilance).
“Keeping in view the conspiracy and kick backs, the question of referring the matter to CBI for investigatin may be considered by the government,” it had added.
Lokayukta had taken suo motto cognizance about alleged irregularities in handing over the beach cleaning contract to M/s Bhumika Clean tech Services Private Limited and Ram Cleansers and Developers.
Tourism department in the year 2016 had refused to renew the contract of both the agencies claiming that “no scientific disposal of the waste is taking place even after completion of period of 19 months from commencement of the contract.”
“The government is of the opinion that the tender should not be renewed for the further period,” the department had told the agencies.
