Digital Goa, August 25 – A North Goa court has acquitted transport and industries minister Mauvin Godinho and others in the alleged ₹4.52 crore power rebate scam. Special Judge Irshad Agha, pronouncing the verdict in open court on Monday, cleared Godinho of all charges. As power minister in 1998, Godinho was accused of granting a 25% electricity tariff rebate to industries under a June 27, 1998 notification, allegedly causing losses to the exchequer. The case, exposed by then Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar, alleged the rebate was issued without cabinet approval. The Goa crime branch had arrested Godinho in May 2001 along with then chief electrical engineer and was later released on bail. After years of proceedings, the court has now given Godinho and others involved in the case a clean chit.
