In response to serious allegations of corruption and undervaluation of fees for land zone changes by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, the Government of Goa has placed Rajesh J Naik, the Chief Town Planner (Planning), under suspension with immediate effect.
This decision follows the ongoing investigation into the matter, which has raised concerns about significant financial losses to the state’s exchequer.
Earlier, the High Court (HC) had directed the Chief Secretary to investigate the allegations presented in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which claims that the TCP department deliberately undervalued the fees for zone corrections.
The miscalculation allegedly resulted in a loss of `7.1 crore to the state’s exchequer in just one case involving the rectification of 89,500 square metres to a settlement zone.
The Government of Goa, through its robust vigilance policies, has already initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter.
The Directorate of Vigilance is actively working to uncover the full extent of the irregularities, with a report set to be submitted to the court in a sealed cover.
This proactive investigation is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels of governance.
Naik’s suspension reflects the government’s firm stance on eradicating corruption and upholding the highest standards of governance.
The Government of Goa has consistently demonstrated its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and it will take swift and decisive action against those found guilty of misconduct.
The vigilance systems in place are designed to identify and address such issues promptly, ensuring the protection of public resources.
