BJP legislator seeks JAC over alleged PWD scam in Goa

Panaji, Feb 2 (PTI) BJP MLA Damodar Naik today rushedinto the well of Goa legislative assembly demanding a probeinto an alleged scam by Public Works Department.

Naik demanded that a Joint Action Committee (JAC) beformed by the assembly to probe distribution of water tanks bythe PWD Minister Churchill Alemao.

Raising the issue during the question hour, Naik saidthat Alemao''s ministry gave water tanks to the people, withoutforming an appropriate scheme, or following procedure.

He said that the allotments were done arbitrarily.

The house witnessed heated exchanges of allegationsbetween Alemao and Naik for a few minutes, before the SpeakerPratapsingh Rane intervened, and asked the members not to useunparliamentary language.

In a written reply, Alemao had conceded that 4000 tanksworth total of Rs 99.73 lakh were distributed. He alsoadmitted that he had given the administrative approval, whileno cabinet-level decision had been taken on the scheme.

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar said that the scamneeded to be investigated, considering the amount of moneyinvolved.

While Naik and Parrikar kept on pressing for JAC, ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat came to the rescue of the minister.

Kamat said that "The tanks were distributed to deal withthe water shortages and the minister has agreed to formulate ascheme".

Naik was not convinced and rushed in to the well.

However, the Chief Minister did not give in, refusing toset up a JAC.