Goa, March 6 -- Vithaldas hegde

vhegde3@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Former Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar's sensational claim that he had paid Rs 15-20 lakh to a minister to get a job done may have raised the stink of corruption within the government, but it also points a finger back at him. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the person giving a bribe - which is Madkaikar, in this case - is as culpable as the bribe-taker (the unnamed minister, as claimed by the former MLA).

Based on this, it is clear that the Goa Police have the power to take suo motu cognisance of the statement made by Madkaikar and start an inquiry.

There are multiple questions waiting to be asked: who is the minister Madkaikar coughed up the money to?...