Revenue minister demands independent probe into cash-for-jobs scam

Panaji: In a major embarrassment to BJP, which maintained that govt exposed the cash-for-job scam, revenue minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate on Thursday joined the opposition in demanding an independent probe.
Monserrate demanded that those who gave money for employment should also be booked under stringent sections, as they were out to deprive those who qualified for the jobs.
“My stand is very clear. Govt should book both the giver as well as the takers. Givers paid money to buy the job as they knew that their children could not meet the criteria of recruitment and tried to deprive those qualified for the job,” Monserrate told TOI.
The BJP minister said that govt is not a recovery agent to seize the property of the accused and pay those who tried to buy the job. Instead, govt should order an inquiry under a retired judge to ensure transparency in the investigation.
“Govt seizing the properties of the accused and giving them to those people who tried to buy jobs will encourage them in the future instead of discouraging them from buying the job. We should not encourage the mistake, but we must act against that mistake,” Monserrate said.
On Tuesday, chief minister Pramod Sawant said that govt would seize and attach the properties of those involved in the cash-for-jobs scam. “We will see how the money can be recovered and returned. We will not stop just by filing cases. Property will be seized and attached. To ensure that the money is returned, we will follow up on every case till the end. We will ensure that the victims get their money back,” Sawant had said.
Monserrate said, “I demand a full investigation in the case, and, for transparency in the investigation, a retired judge should be appointed to investigate.”
“Govt should set an example in this case, as govt is not selling jobs in the state,” he added.
The revenue minister said that the accused go to politicians and click selfies, and then they tell other people that they know this and that politician. “Many of the people are conmen,” Monserrate said, adding, “If there is any political link, then it should also be investigated.”
He said that corruption should end. “If any person buys a job for his child who joins the service at the age of 24 and retires at the age of 60, then that person is in the system to steal and borrow money and continue to do corruption for the next 36 years. We must stop it today.”
The opposition demanded a judicial probe into the scam, whereas BJP maintained that the probe is initiated by govt. Sawant had said that no one involved in the scam will be spared.