The Hindu : National : Probe complaint against Goa Minister: court

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Probe complaint against Goa Minister: court

Special Correspondent

Police have failed to register FIR against Narvekar: petitioner
“Discretionary allotments caused loss to exchequer”

PANAJI: The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday directed the town police to expeditiously investigate the complaint filed by a socio-political group against Information and Technology Minister Dayanand Narvekar and others in connection with land allotment under the controversial IT habitat project.

The Bench, comprising Justice D.B. Bhosale and Justice N.A. Britto, passed the order on a writ petition filed by Utt Goenkara spokesman Aires Rodrigues against the police failure to register a first information report against the Minister and directors of the state-owned Info-Tech Corporation of Goa (ITG).

Locals oppose project

Locals and their elected representatives are opposing the project, coming up at Dona Paula plateau on the outskirts of the city.

The petitioner said authorities were avoiding taking action against Mr. Narvekar, who is also Minister for Law.

The complaint, filed on December 24 last under Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 406 and 409 of the Indian Penal Code, pertains to allotment of 1,80,000 sq. m. of prime land by the ITG, headed by Mr. Narvekar, at an average rate of Rs. 4,500 per sq. m., much below the ruling price, Rs. 20,000-35,000.

The complaint questioned the discretionary allotments, without holding any auction or calling for tenders, thereby causing a loss to the exchequer.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National