India

Goa CM vows tough action against fake excise job scam

By PTI

In Panaji, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Saturday that he would take strict action against those who duped a man by offering him a senior post in the state Excise Department. He urged citizens to be cautious, noting that educated people are being targeted. One Manoj Talekar was detained on Thursday after he entered the Excise Department office with an "appointment letter" claiming he would become Additional Excise Commissioner. The post had become vacant following the transfer of IAS officer Asvin Chandru. The fraud was uncovered when staff grew suspicious and confirmed with seniors that no such letter had been issued. Talekar told police that a man named Ajit Shankhwalkar had taken ₹27 lakh from him to provide the fake letter. Police are searching for Shankhwalkar, who is charged in the case. During the investigation, police also found another letter bearing a forged signature of CM Sawant, stating that Talekar had been hired. Sawant told reporters that he had asked police to conduct a thorough probe and arrest the accused. He reiterated that no one would be spared and that the state government would confiscate the properties of those involved in such fraudulent activities. He also appealed to citizens to verify suspicious communications with the relevant government departments.