Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has spent a whopping Rs 5.51 crore on the fish festivals held in the last five years while the revenue generated is just Rs 10.38 lakh, barely 1.88 percent of the total amount spent.
As per data available, the government in 2013-14 spent Rs 63,80,500 for the fish festival while the revenue generated was a mere Rs 3,50,000. In 2014-15, the expenditure was Rs 1,51, 68,600 whereas revenue generated was just Rs 2,25,000.
In 2015-16, the government incurred an expenditure of Rs 1,37,14,808 while the income generated was Rs 3,27,000. There was no festival in 2016-17, but the festival was again organised in 2017-18 where Rs 1,98,72,999 was spent and the income generated was Rs 1,36,000.
The main motto of the fish festival is to promote Goa’s rich fish culture and fishing industry and create awareness. Attempts to get in touch with Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar did not bear fruit.
