Team Herald
PANJIM: The State unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday held a protest, denouncing the recent job scam that has taken centre-stage in the State and demanded immediate appointment of an Inquiry Commission headed by a retired High Court judge, to conduct an impartial investigation into the infamous job scam, which has jeopardised the future of many job-seeking youth.
Addressing the protestors at Merces Circle, AAP State president Amit Palekar said, “With unemployment reaching critical levels, my party emphasised the urgency of this matter. In today’s AI-driven economy, the job market is already struggling, leaving many recent graduates without job security. But BJP Ministers appear to be engaged in auctioning government jobs, selling the future of our youth."
Adv Palekar told the crowd that he was a former rank holder in the Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) exam but was affected by a similar scam, and voiced his frustration with the BJP government. “Parents are working tirelessly, even selling their jewellery, to ensure a stable future for their children, but the lack of private sector opportunities and the apparent auctioning of government jobs have left young Goans disillusioned,” he said condemning the government for exploiting these hopes.
Criticising the Chief Minister, Adv Palekar questioned how alleged scammer Pooja Naik managed to gain direct access to his Sankhali residence while others are required to seek appointments in advance and are kept waiting. “The Chief Minister and BJP leaders are making scapegoats out of people like Pooja Naik while shielding themselves from accountability. A review of call detail records (CDRs) and tower location of all accused in last one year would reveal how far this conspiracy extends and if compared it with non-uniform police officer, the location will be at Sankhali,” he asserted.
The AAP State president revealed a shocking development in the ongoing job scam investigation. According to him, an audio clip has surfaced exposing a BJP leader from Curtorim constituency demanding a bribe of Rs 40 lakh from a citizen seeking a job opportunity. He has stated that he will verify the authenticity of the audio clip, which, if confirmed, could provide further evidence of corruption within the State government’s hiring practices.
In another startling revelation, Adv Palekar exposed job auction rates within the BJP-led government. He said, a woman was asked to give Rs 1.5crore bribe to secure a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) position for her son. He further disclosed that, in this alleged scam, positions such as PSI are priced at Rs 35-40 lakh while posts like UDC and LDC are reportedly sold for Rs 20-25 lakh.
Adv Palekar said that the BJP leadership should tell the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to resign because he had failed in administration, policing and scams were galore.
AAP vice president Valmiki Naik, general secretary Francis Coelho and Salman Khan also spoke. They voiced their frustration and disappointment with the State government. Instead of recruiting candidates based on merit, they stated that government positions are being sold at exorbitant rates, turning what should be a fair hiring process into a profit-driven auction.