CM Can’t Run Away: Chodankar Demands Inquiry into Cash-for-Job Scam by Retired High Court Judge

Panaji: Girish Chodankar, former President of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) and a Permanent Invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC), has raised serious concerns over a potential “Goa Vyapam-like scandal” in the state’s recruitment processes. Chodankar has been vocal about these concerns since 2020, warning about the risk of widespread corruption and irregularities.

Chodankar accused Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant of advocating amendments to the Goa Staff Selection Commission Bill, 2019, which allows various departments to bypass established recruitment protocols and hire directly. He argued that such changes open doors to manipulation, making it easier for cash-for-job scams to take place.

“The Chief Minister cannot claim ignorance about recruitment matters and try to run away from this scam. Every issue inevitably leads back to the CM’s office,” Chodankar stated, implying that Dr. Sawant’s office is complicit in the lapses or, at the very least, negligent.

To address these concerns, Chodankar has called for an inquiry led by a retired High Court judge. He stressed that this commission should conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation into the recruitment processes across departments to restore public trust. “CM failed to act against the PWD recruitment scam alleged by his own minister and Panaji MLA Atanasio Babush Monserrate; current job scam cases also highlight his failure,” he added.

Chodankar also cited previous instances of alleged malpractices, including manipulated answer papers, altered results, and compromised physical examination procedures, which he claims have disadvantaged Goa’s youth. According to him, these scams have become a pattern since 2020, with little action taken to curb the rot.

In urging for transparency and reform, Chodankar’s demands aim to ensure that recruitment processes in Goa are conducted with fairness, integrity, and accountability. The call for a judicial inquiry underscores the need for a significant overhaul in the state’s hiring practices to protect the interests of deserving candidates.

Swiggy’s ₹11,327 Crore IPO A Game-Changer for the Indian Stock Market

November 5, 2024 — Investors are gearing up for one of the most anticipated IPOs of the year as Swiggy, India’s prominent food delivery and quick commerce platform, prepares to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on November 6. With a target to raise ₹11,327 crore, the IPO aims to mark a significant milestone in the Indian tech sector, potentially positioning Swiggy among the top valued Indian tech firms on the stock exchange.

The IPO comprises a fresh issue of ₹4,499 crore, with the remaining amount representing an offer for sale by existing shareholders. Post-IPO, Swiggy will be valued at an estimated market capitalization of ₹87,000 crore (approximately $10 billion) and an enterprise value (EV) of ₹78,000 crore, making it one of the largest IPOs in the Indian stock market.

Why Swiggy’s IPO Matters

This IPO arrives at a crucial time for India’s food delivery and e-commerce sectors, both of which have witnessed robust growth in recent years. Swiggy, which started as a food delivery service, has diversified into grocery and other quick commerce deliveries through its Instamart platform, aiming to establish itself as a comprehensive on-demand service provider. This diversification strategy has made Swiggy an attractive option for investors, who see potential in its multiple revenue streams and growing user base.

However, the path to profitability remains a question mark. Like many tech companies, Swiggy has been balancing aggressive growth with substantial investments, which has affected its bottom line. Investors will closely monitor Swiggy’s financial health and growth projections, hoping the company’s strong brand and expanding customer base will translate into sustainable profits.

Challenges and Opportunities

Swiggy’s biggest challenge will be navigating the intense competition from rivals like Zomato and Dunzo. Additionally, profitability concerns in India’s price-sensitive market, where high cash burn has often been necessary to maintain user engagement and loyalty, continue to pose challenges. However, if Swiggy manages to leverage its scale, streamline operations, and capitalize on its multi-service platform, it could generate long-term shareholder value.

The IPO also comes at a time when the Indian stock market is experiencing increased retail investor participation, and the government is actively supporting the growth of homegrown tech companies. Swiggy’s successful listing could boost investor sentiment and open doors for other high-growth tech startups eyeing the public markets.

What’s Next for Investors?

Swiggy’s IPO offers a unique opportunity to invest in one of India’s most recognized brands with a strong foothold in the growing food delivery and quick commerce sectors. However, with a hefty valuation, the decision ultimately rests on whether investors believe Swiggy can maintain its growth trajectory and turn its business into a profitable venture.

As Swiggy prepares to list, all eyes will be on November 6, as investors weigh the risks and rewards in what promises to be a defining moment for India’s tech ecosystem.

TATA IPL 2025 Player Retention List Announced

November 1, 2024

The player retention window for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season officially closed on October 31, 2024, with all 10 franchises finalizing their rosters for the upcoming season. In total, the teams retained 46 players, with investments reaching INR 558.5 crore.

With each team allowed a maximum salary cap of INR 120 crore at the upcoming mega auction to assemble squads of up to 25 players, the franchises were permitted to retain up to six players, which could include a maximum of five capped internationals and up to two uncapped Indian players.

Key Retention Highlights:

Full Retentions: Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals chose to retain six players each.

Five Retentions: Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad each retained five players.

Partial Retentions: Delhi Capitals retained four players, Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained three, and Punjab Kings retained two players.

Largest Auction Purse: Punjab Kings will enter the mega auction with the largest purse, holding INR 110.5 crore.

This finalized list sets the stage for an action-packed auction, where teams will look to build formidable squads for the upcoming season.

Full List of Retained Players by Franchise:

Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni

Delhi Capitals

Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel

Gujarat Titans

Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan

Kolkata Knight Riders

Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh

Lucknow Super Giants

Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni

Mumbai Indians

Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma

Punjab Kings

Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh

Rajasthan Royals

Sanju Samson, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head

With this list, the franchises have a foundation of core players that aligns with their strategic visions, ensuring that fans can expect thrilling performances in TATA IPL 2025.