Staff Reporter

Mapusa

The Congress party has accused the Bharatiya Janataa Party-led state government of committing large-scale corruption in the name of ‘management’ of events like Carnival, Shigmo, Food Festival, Spirit of Goa Festival through the tourism department and committing a `7 crore worth scam in the tenders for organising the festivals in the state.

Addressing the mediapersons, Congress leader and GPCC’s media development chairman Amarnath Panjikar said earlier traditional festivals and events were held for the genuine entertainment of people, to help preserve our culture and tradition as well as to ensure that the younger generation develops interest.

“However, today the BJP has changed the purpose of holding such events and it is solely ‘Mission total commission,” said Panjikar.

He further said, “When one pursues the tender documents, it is apparent that the prices quoted are deliberately set in such a way to give an appearance of fair play but it is apparent that there is cartelization among the parties who ensure that everyone gets a slice of the pie through an agreement to ensure that each bidder gets his preferred tender.”

Panjikar further said that only outside agencies are given contracts to organise Goa’s festivals as if Goans are given contracts then there will be no
commission.