PORVORIM: Chief minister Pramod Sawant assured to investigate and book all those involved in land grab cases and illegal sale of land from comunidades in the state.
However, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte accused Sawant of shielding criminals involved in the infamous land scams by ordering the police not to take any action against them.
Pointing out that the protection provided to the former sarpanch of Socorro panchayat, Sandeep Vazarkar, Khaunte said Goa Police has failed to file a chargesheet against Vazarkar for the past two years despite all the evidence. Vazarkar joined BJP over two years ago after a land scam involving him came to light.
Khaunte stated that while an FIR was filed in 2019, the chargesheet is yet to be filed against Vazarkar.
The MLA further said that the accused has got more audacious and is involved in more such cases at Old Goa.
Sawant said that the government would investigate and book all involved, but could not provide a timeline or clear assurance.
“I am forced to conclude that the chief minister is only paying lip service,” Khaunte said.
According to government data, there are 128 cases of land scams registered in the state in the last 10 years. Of these, more than half are in Porvorim and Mapusa of Bardez taluka. On an average, 10 land scam cases are reported every year across the state.
The South Goa district administration has already written to the vigilance department to probe around 11 cases dealing with fraudulent land transactions.
