from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Aug 6: Goa Pradesh Youth Congress has strongly demanded the resignation of former chief minister and BJP leader Manohar Parrikar for his alleged high-handed corruption in Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation, IFFI and in Cyber-age Students Scheme. 

The demand for his resignation comes from the Youth Congress after the strong observations and findings in the Audit
Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in respect of financial transactions of Government of Goa for the year 2004-05, states GPYC President Girish Chodankar.

Chodankar said, "It is unfortunate that the person who had projected himself as crusader against corruption is himself involved in in major scams amounting to crores of rupees as revealed in the Audit Report.  Parrikar who has fooled the Goans against his fight against the corruption has no right to continue even as MLA in Goa after he has been exposed by the Statutory Report," asserted Chodankar. He further demanded that Parrikar should not just resign but should also apologize to the people of Goa for his involvement in high-handed corruption.

He further said, in the usual style of BJP and specially of former CM to divert from the main issue, Parrikar has tried to involve Governor of Goa and also the CAG and once again tried to fool the people.  He said the CAG Report clearly pointed out how Parrikar has misused his power in awarding the tender of Multiplex to a highest bider by rejecting lowest offer that to awarding the contract for four screens at a cost Rs 21.24 crore quoted for six screens that too the estimates were manipulated by Rs 3.11 crore as indicated in the CAG.  The report also made findings in respect of Cyber-age Students Scheme was manipulated by spending Rs 77.39 crore for distributing 28,586 computers.

Chodankar recalled that the various NGOs, various political parties including congress and youth congress had from time to time warned the BJP Government of high handed corruption, but BJP Government did not bother the same.  He also said even the  congress committee specially formed under the chairmanship of Shantaram Naik had clearly revealed about the corruption and
the quality of work.

Chodankar has also expressed shock & anguish over the working of CBI which is handling the case over last seven months and have not even registered the FIR.  He said there are sufficient prima facia evidences and after the exposure by CAG the case is very strong and we do not understand why CBI is delaying the matter.  He said, youth congress will not hesitate to demonstrate in front of CBI if proper action is not taken promptly. 

He recalled how Parrikar had humiliated by arresting Dayanand Narvekar, Somnath Zuarkar and Mauvin Goudinho to take political advantage without having any prima facie reason.  He said CAG report is a strong document even to file FIR against Parrikar, so that people of Goa can see the real face of Parrikar. 

Chodankar has also indicated that YC will continue the agitation till the culprits are brought to books and also will not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings also.