The cash-for-jobs scandal has reached an explosive tipping point, leaving the BJP government in Goa, led by a non-Goan Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, humiliated and exposed. This is no longer just a political embarrassment—it’s a damning indictment of the regime’s moral and administrative collapse. Pramod Sawant has lost every shred of moral authority to govern and should resign immediately along with his tainted cabinet. Their tenure has been marked by mismanagement, incompetence, and rampant corruption at every level.
Even during the superficial investigation into this scandal, the involvement of ministers and MLAs has come to light. Yet the police, rather than serving justice, appear determined to shield their political overlords. This raises a serious question: is there any independent or disciplined force left in Goa, or has every institution been co-opted into a web of corruption?
Take the case of South Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunita Sawant, whose statements sound suspiciously like a BJP press release. She has categorically ruled out political links between the accused and any politicians, but on what basis? Has she conducted a thorough, forensic investigation? Has she verified whether the name "Vishwajit," cited in connection with two of the accused, has no relation to Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane?
What about the audio evidence implicating BJP MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, where a voice allegedly admits to paying ₹7 lakh to Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate for a job? Has SP Sawant investigated this claim? Or is her rush to exonerate politicians a calculated effort to protect her political benefactors? If so, she has no business being in uniform. She should resign and formally join the saffron party, as she has already shown her true colors.
Police investigations into the cash-for-jobs scam is a mere farce.
A Rigged System Denying the Meritorious
This scandal didn’t surface due to police vigilance—it came to light because a spurned candidate exposed the rot. But what about all the “successful” candidates who paid bribes to secure their positions, trampling on the dreams of deserving and meritorious individuals? Has this aspect even been touched by the investigation?
Former Governor Satya Pal Malik had, back in 2021, exposed the BJP-led administration in Goa by stating on national television, “There is corruption in everything in Goa.” That was under Pramod Sawant’s leadership, further cementing the perception that Goa’s governance has been reduced to a cesspool of graft and patronage.
The ‘Queen Bee’ and Her Hive of Corruption
In a particularly shocking twist, most of the accused in this scam are women, one of whom was a BJP Mahila Morcha member. This points to the existence of a shadowy “Queen Bee” pulling the strings. Rumours abound that a minister was dropped from Pramod Sawant’s cabinet for refusing to entertain job candidates recommended by the Queen Bee. Yet the police, true to form, have buried their heads in the sand, pretending the public is oblivious to what’s happening.
A Farce of Accountability
Adding insult to injury, Pramod Sawant has made an absurd promise to compensate duped victims by auctioning the assets of the scamsters. Does he not understand basic legal procedures? The accused are unlikely to hold significant assets in their own names, and even if they do, these assets would remain tied up in police or court custody for years. Worse, given the shoddy investigation, there’s little chance of convictions. Instead, it wouldn’t be surprising if investigators are already eyeing their share of the ill-gotten wealth.
A Government in Decay
The cash-for-jobs scandal has laid bare the rot festering within the BJP-led administration in Goa. It has shown just how deeply entrenched corruption is under the leadership of a non-Goan Chief Minister. This isn’t governance—it’s organized plunder.
The time for accountability has long passed. The Sawant government must step down. A full judicial inquiry led by independent authorities—not caged parrots—is the only way to restore a semblance of justice and credibility in Goa’s governance. Anything less would be yet another betrayal of the people.
