Last Updated on 02/08/2024 by wccexam Desk
Goa Forward Party Versus Sawant Government: Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai has made a shocking claim in the state assembly accusing the Goa government of a Rs 182 crore scam in the extension of broadband network contract. The Fatorda MLA has also demanded a judicial probe and claimed that if needed, he will approach the court in connection with the alleged scam in the extension of the Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) project till 2027.
Sharp attack on Sawant government
The GFP chief also launched a scathing attack on the government led by CM Pramod Sawant, accusing it of being deeply involved in corruption. Sardesai said, GBBN’s agreement with UK Telecom Limited expired in July 2019. Instead of looking for a new vendor, the agreement was extended for a year. The then IT minister is still in office. He noted the need to obtain cabinet approval in his files but the process was bypassed.
Alleged Rs 182 crore scam
During the assembly session on Wednesday, Sardesai accused the Information Technology Department of a Rs 182 crore scam related to the extension of the contract. He said the government agreement, which was initially supposed to end in 2019, was flagged in a 2015 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for poor and unstable connectivity. Despite recommendations by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to change the service provider and warnings from the Finance Department about technical deviations and high charges, the government extended the contract till July 2027 ignoring these critical issues. What is the logic behind extending the agreement by Rs 182 crore despite warnings by the Finance Department about technical non-compliance? In fact, the decision to extend the contract was taken by overruling the Finance Department’s recommendation, he alleged.
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The minister defended the decision
Goa Information and Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte, however, defended the decision to extend the contract. “GGBN provides official intranet and internet services for all e-governance projects. The Goa government will set up a viable network using the Centre’s funds in the next three years. Our aim is to provide good services to the people of Goa and the target will be achieved in the next two years,” Khaunte told the House.