No scam in KA renovation work, all procedures followed, says CM

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that there is “no scam in the renovation work of Kala Academy” and the entire Kala Academy will be opened for the public before December 8.
“Nobody has done any scam and all the procedures have been followed (in granting work to renovate the Kala Academy),” Sawant said.
The CM along with PWD minister Nilesh Cabral, art and culture minister Govind Gaude and officials inspected the renovation work at KA.
Sawant said that the state government is making efforts to open the Black Box and other facilities at the Kala Academy before the International film festival of India (Iffi). “But the main auditorium will be opened later,” he said.
The chief minister said that whatever figures are shown by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai are “wrong”. He said that once the Kala Academy is inaugurated, it will be one of the best people can see.
Days after Gaude said that it was PWD’s decision not to tender the Kala Academy renovation work, Cabral had said that his department only suggested the contractor’s name, but it was Gaude’s department’s decision.
Last month, the directorate of vigilance recommended that the state government constitute a technical expert committee to probe the alleged irregularities and corruption in the Kala Academy renovation work. However, the directorate has asked the government not to include any PWD officials, since they’ve been part of the tendering process. The Kala Academy building is being renovated at a cost of Rs 56 crore.