Panaji: Goa Education Minister Atanasio
Monserrate on Sunday said that he could account for all the
unaccounted money that was found from him when he was detained
at Mumbai airport by Customs officials.
Monserrate said that he was carrying Rs 21 lakh in
different currencies, and was on his way to Dubai along with
his friend and son, when he was intercepted by Customs
officials before boarding the flight on Saturday morning.
"I was having traveller`s cheques worth USD 25,000
which I had procured last year when I was supposed to go to
London for a business trip," the minister said, adding that
the cheques remained unspent.
Monserratte said he was also carrying 75,000 Dinar
(sic) and Rs 63,000.
"I was not informed that one cannot carry such amount
of traveller`s cheques when you are on a tourist visa. It is
allowed only on business visa," the minister said.
He claimed he had visited countries like Russia and
Japan with these traveller`s cheques. "I did not encash the
cheques in India because of the fluctuation of the currency."
Monserrate said that he could account for all the
money and he had been summoned on April 8 to Mumbai with
accounts.
"This is not unaccounted money. I can produce all
documents," he claimed.
The minister said that he left for Mumbai on Saturday
by early morning flight, and was supposed to board flight to
Dubai at 10.25 AM.
"On the way, I was supposed to pay Rs 1.51 lakh for
the maintenance of my flat in Mumbai," Monserrate said, adding
that he paid that amount, but was carrying additional Indian
currency notes, which were left with him.
He said he was carrying foreign currency worth only Rs
21 lakh, and not crores of rupees, as reported by the media.
PTI
