Goa: In a new twist to the ongoing controversy, Vijay Sardesai, President of the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and MLA for Fatorda, has accused the BJP-led government of orchestrating a "Cash for Jobs" scheme related to the recruitment process for Lower Division Clerk (LDC) positions at the South Goa Collectorate. Sardesai's allegations, made on September 10, 2024, claim that candidates applying for these posts since October 2023 were required to pay bribes to secure their positions. He stated, "Qualified candidates have been bypassed as jobs were essentially auctioned off by this BJP administration."
Sardesai Alleges Corruption In Recruitment Process
Sardesai elaborated that the initial examination for these positions occurred in October 2023, followed by a skill test in February 2024. Despite this extended timeline, the results were inexplicably delayed. According to Sardesai, candidates reported being solicited by a woman who demanded money in exchange for job offers, with those who refused being disqualified. Sardesai criticized the seven-month delay in result declaration, suggesting it was a deliberate ploy to mask corruption. He has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into these allegations.
Another Similar Scam In PWD
In his remarks, Sardesai also recalled Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate's prior accusations of a similar "cash for jobs" scandal within the Public Works Department (PWD), now facing allegations himself.
The controversy intensified when Utpal Parrikar, son of the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, called for Monserrate’s removal from the cabinet. Parrikar accused Monserrate of tarnishing the BJP’s reputation and urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to investigate the matter thoroughly. "The BJP has been tainted by Monserrate’s actions. I strongly recommend the Chief Minister take decisive action, as public support will be contingent on a genuine inquiry," Parrikar asserted.
Further fueling the scandal, South Goa Congress MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes recently alleged that a woman in CM Sawant’s constituency was accepting bribes for job placements, suggesting a more extensive corruption network within Goa’s recruitment system. With escalating scrutiny from both opposition figures and senior BJP members, the demand for accountability continues to grow.
