PANAJI: Hundreds of Goans have been duped of crores of rupees in a cash-for-jobs scam. Goa police have so far registered 20 cases across state — including 12 in North Goa district and eight in South Goa district — and arrested 19 people for promising to secure govt jobs in exchange for cash. The scam also saw a govt employee taking his life after his name figured in the case.
Over the past few weeks, a new case has been registered almost every day, with a maximum of three FIRs each at Ponda, Agassaim and Bicholim police stations.
Among those arrested include police personnel, senior govt officers, teachers and other persons claiming to have strong political links. The accused in different cases assured jobs in various state departments including public works, water resources, education, transport, revenue, police and health.
The scam came to light last month when Goa police registered a case against one Pooja Naik for duping several people across state of crores of rupees by promising them govt job. Soon after Naik’s arrest, Goa CM Pramod Sawant warned politicians and govt employees of strict action in case of their involvement in the scam. Sawant also requested citizens to file complaints if they had paid to secure a govt job. “Govt jobs are not for sale,” the CM had said.
Modus operandi in each case has been different. Naik, for instance, had allegedly told some acquaintances that since she worked at office of a regional political party in Panaji, she could obtain govt jobs for a certain consideration via senior govt officials in transport and public works departments.
The latest on the long list of people arrested is a Porvorim resident, Shruti Prabhugaonkar, who claimed that she is BJP mahila block president for Nuvem constituency in South Goa. Though BJP accepted her association with the party, it was quick to add that she was not part of the party “today”.
After Shruti’s arrest Tuesday, CM Sawant, without naming anyone, said: “BJP has five lakh general members. Even former party members, if found involved (in the job scam), will not be spared. That (person) was arrested.”
In a stern message, the CM also said govt will seize and attach properties of those involved in cash-for-jobs scam and ensure victims get their money back. “ We will not stop just by filing cases. Property will be seized and attached. To ensure that money is returned, we will follow up every case till the end. We will ensure that the victims get their money back,” he said.
Investigations revealed that victims were either known to the accused or have relatives who have been hunting for permanent govt jobs. Accused were using the money to pursue plush lifestyles of their own by purchasing gold ornaments and high-end cars.
The scam also saw a 51-year-old attendant at OBC Corporation, Shridhar Kerkar, die by suicide after his name figured in the case. Shridhar had been missing from his house since Oct 30, a day after Naik and her accomplice, Ajit Shashikant Satarkar (49), were released on bail.
Congress demanded a special probe but BJP maintained that it was its govt that unearthed the scam.