Vigilance probe likely into IAS officer's role in Goa

Panaji, Aug 30 (UNI) The Goa government is likely to order a vigilance probe if the police and the city corporation of Panaji find a prima facie case against IAS officer in-charge of Urban Development and IT R P Pal, who has since been transferred to Lakshadweep.

This was following a recent complaint against Mr Pal by social activist and advocate Aires Rodrigues.

In the complaint, Adv Rodrigues, who is also spokesman of NGO Utt Goenkara, stated that the officer was allegedly responsible for arranging payment of Rs 147 daily wage to his wife on a fictitious name from the corporation for many years.

Meanwhile, the Panaji police and the Corporation have started investigations into the complaint against Mr Pal, who will be relieved soon.

''If the police and the corporation find any prima facie in the case, the government will order a probe by the state vigilance department,'' chief secretary J P Singh told UNI.

Adv Rodrigues has urged the Chief Secretary to probe into accounts at UTI Bank, Syndicate Bank and Andhra Bank, allegedly operated by Mr Pal, in the name of certain Bengali NGOs.

Adv Rodrigues, in his complaint, alleged that contactors and others who approached Mr Pal, preferring not to pay in cash, were directed to deposit the kick-backs into these accounts.

While demanding a probe into Mr Pal's role in several scams including the Sonsoddo garbage disposal plant fiasco, Adv Rodrigues also urged the Chief Secretary that all the illegally acquired properties in the state, owned by Mr Pal, be seized by the government.

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