The BJP in Goa at the 2012 Assembly elections rode to power on the promise of Zero Tolerance to Corruption and Good Governanace. But over the last four and half years it has been a never ending string of scams galore with the multi crore beach cleaning one topping the list.
In September 2014 Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister awarded the contract of Comprehensive Management of cleanliness of North Goa Beaches to Bhumika Cleantech Services Pvt Ltd at an annual cost of Rs 7, 51, 40,999 and the cleaning of South Goa beaches to Ram Cleansers & Developers Pvt Ltd at a cost of Rs 7, 04, 87,999. Both the companies are owned by one Manish Mohata. Earlier the cleaning of Goa beaches was costing an average of a mere two crores annually. The current despicable condition of Goa’s beaches is there for all to see, while the contractor in collusion with the government instead of cleaning the beaches has merrily only emptied the State coffers. Infact the then Director of Tourism Ameya Abhyankar on 11th December last year in a four page note while pointing out that major conditions of the tender were not fulfilled with detailed reasons had proposed that the department go in for a fresh tender but the government the very next day transferred Ameya Abhyankar. The Goa Lokayukta Justice P.K.Misra who is currently probing this beach cleaning scam has very rightly directed the Director of Tourism that after proper scrutiny of the pending bills, half of the amount payable to the contractor be kept in a fixed deposit so that appropriate directions can be issued after the completion of the detailed investigation. In public interest this is a very prudent safeguard in the likely eventuality that the delinquent contractor Manish Mohata does a vanishing act and flies off like another Kingfisher. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com