FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Heated arguments were witnessed in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday with the Opposition alleging multi-crore scams in the name of infrastructure works undertaken for the upcoming 37th National Games in the State.
A starred question regarding the works for the upcoming National Games was jointly tabled by Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Sardesai alleged that the government has undertaken works which were already completed and inaugurated in the past.
He said that Campal swimming pool was repaired under ‘Khelo India Centre of Excellence’ and inaugurated by spending Rs 12.17 crore in September last year while the government has again tendered it for urgent repairs i.e. to lay a membrane at an estimated cost of Rs 35.52 lakh. Again the government has taken up urgent repairs and maintenance of the pool costing Rs 1.50 crore, Sardesai said.
He alleged that the synthetic track at Peddem, Mapusa was laid in 2014 costing Rs 5.93 crore and now the government is spending Rs 7.82 crore to refurbish it when Peddem ground is not a venue for the ensuing National Games.
He said that similar was the case of Nehru Stadium, Fatorda during FIFA event held last year where maintenance work of Rs 28.36 lakh was tendered and completed. Now, the government is again spending Rs 1.9 crore for maintenance, he said.
The Fatorda MLA said that what was most astonishing was that government had spent Rs 68.44 lakh for launching of logo and mascot Bulbul ‘Rubigula’ in 2020 while he girl who designed the mascot was paid Rs 15,000. But the government spent Rs 2.80 crore to change the mascot to ‘Moga’ in May this year. And further paid event management company- Moving Pictures Rs 5.59 crore for the same. “Is this not a scam, what it is?” He asked.
Adv Ferreira demanded to know how much has been spent by the government till date and how much it will require to complete the infrastructure works for the National Games. He also sought to know the funds allocated by the government of India for hosting the National Games in Goa.
Expressing concern over crores of rupees spent on consultancy fees, Adv Ferreira said that the government should avoid such expenses.
In his reply, Sports Minister Govind Gaude said that the infrastructure for the National Games is still going on. He told Ferreira that the only three consultants were appointed by the government for creativity. He said that a budgetary allocation of Rs 225 cr has been approved for the National Games. He further told Sardessai that the additional works at the Campal pool was for the diving event even as the Fatorda refused to accept the minister’s statement that there was only one swimming pool at Campal which was opened a few months ago.
The Opposition members sought to know the payment details made for launching of logo and reasons for changing the mascot from flame-throated Bulbul ‘Rubigula’ to ‘Moga’ and towards the procurement of equipment.
The Sports Minister clarified that the mascot flame-throated Bulbul ‘Rubigula’ for 36 National Games which could not be hosted in Goa in October 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Indian Olympic Association allotted 37th edition of the National Games for which ‘Moga’ has been chosen as the official mascot.
He further said that Rs 22.18 lakh was spent towards coaching camp held for 36th National Games held in Gujarat in September-October last year. However, no sports equipment were provided to sportspersons.
