Goa Govt refers case against Parrikar to CBI

Panaji, Dec 28 (UNI) The Goa government has referred to CBI a case filed by former power minister Mauvin Godinho against former chief minister Manohar Parrikar on the alleged embezzlement of funds during the International Film festival of India (IFFI) 2004.

Chief Secretary J P Singh said since the CBI was already investigating a case, referred to it by the state government in a similar matter, the state authorities have decided to club both the cases.

Mr Godinho, based on the observations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in his report, had lodged a complaint against Parrikar on October 24 with the Panaji police station.

In the complaint, he alleged there was a deliberate game plan executed by the then Chief Minister to avoid auditory controls and verification for payments so that money could easily be diverted to his personal account. The Panaji police station registered a case against Parrikar the following day.

The CAG, in his report, had stated the state government made higher allocations and payments than it should have to the parties engaged to undertake infrastructure and other works for the IFFI.

The report also mentioned more payments were made to the multiplex Inox than called for.

The expeditures were made by the state government through the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), whose board was headed by Parrikar, the then chief minister.

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