Team Herald
PANJIM: Was the controversial construction licence to Bhutani Infra in Sancoale issued fraudulently? This sensational claim has been made by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Vice-President Sunil Kawthankar, who has alleged that Sancoale Panchayat gram sevak, Orville Vales, has impersonated the village panchayat secretary and illegally issued construction licences, including the one to M/s Parmesh Construction Company Limited or Bhutani Infra.
Kawthankar's complaint has been filed with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), where he has claimed that Vales illegally signed documents. He has demanded an inquiry against the Director of Panchayats for ignoring the blatant illegalities by allowing the gram sevak to officiate as panchayat secretary.
Kawthankar has demanded that all the construction licences issued by Vales be declared null and void. He asserted, “Vales issued the construction licence to Bhutani Infra project despite objections by some panchayat members and there seems to be a deep-rooted conspiracy and corruption, which needs a thorough investigation.”
According to him, Vales was suspended on July 17, this year, based on the recommendation of the South Goa Collector for insubordination, dereliction of duty and violation of relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. “But he was reinstated within two months, on September 6,” Kawthankar added.