South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has made serious allegations against the state government, claiming that the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora was paying a bribe of ₹25 lakh per month to continue operations.
Holding the government accountable for the tragic fire incident at the nightclub, Fernandes said the state was “totally responsible for the loss of 25 innocent lives.” He alleged that the tragedy was a result of systemic failures, corruption and deliberate negligence by authorities.
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The MP further accused the Goa government of misleading the Centre regarding the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and the functioning of the Panchayati Raj system in the state. He claimed that despite assurances given to the Centre, true decentralisation of power and effective local self-governance have not been implemented in Goa.
Fernandes said these alleged falsehoods and lapses reflect a breakdown in governance and accountability, and demanded that responsibility be fixed on those in power for both the Arpora fire tragedy and the larger failures in administration.
