Vijai cites ‘unverified reports’ to allege clerk jobs being sold

Panaji: Alleging a ‘cash-for-jobs scam’ linked to the recruitment of lower division clerks at the South Goa collectorate, GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday demanded the immediate halt of the process. He said govt must also initiate an inquiry into the matter.
Sardesai said he has received “unverified reports” suggesting that the recruitment process, which commenced in Oct 2023, has been allegedly marred by graft.
He said the initial examination for the clerks’ posts took place in Oct 2023, and a subsequent skill test was conducted in Feb this year. Despite the seven-month delay in announcing the results, he said, it has been alleged that the candidates were asked for cash to secure these jobs.
The GFP chief said he had been informed of instances in which a woman contacted candidates, demanding payment for guaranteeing employment. He said the candidates who approached him told him that they failed in the recruitment process as they did not pay the money.
“The jobs that were supposed to go to qualified people, mostly from poor backgrounds, have been sold off by this BJP govt. This is my charge against govt,” Sardesai said. “An investigation needs to be conducted immediately into these unverified claims. This action is necessary to guarantee that justice prevails and qualified candidates are not denied their rightful opportunity.”
Sardesai said that he attempted to contact revenue minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate but received no response. Sardesai said he then approached chief minister Pramod Sawant and conveyed his concerns.
The chief minister, Sardesai said, assured him that he would personally look into the matter and take appropriate action.