After more than two years of delay, the technical committee investigating alleged corruption and procedural lapses in the ₹56-crore renovation of Goa’s Kala Academy has finally submitted its report to the Vigilance Department. The committee, constituted in January 2023 with a two-month mandate, was tasked with examining complaints of “corruption,” “irregularities,” and “illegalities” in the high-profile project. However, the probe remained stalled for over a year after the initial chairperson retired without holding a single meeting. It resumed only in March 2024, under the leadership of WRD Chief Engineer Pramod Badami.
Over the course of around 15 sittings, the committee recorded statements from officials of the Public Works Department, the Directorate of Art and Culture, and the contractors involved. The investigation scrutinized documentation related to work orders—many reportedly awarded on a nomination basis without competitive bidding—along with cost estimates, invoices, and payment records.
The report, termed “highly technical and confidential” by Director of Vigilance Amarsen Rane, is now under detailed evaluation to establish accountability. It will be presented to the State government once internal scrutiny is complete.
This development follows an earlier Task Force review, which flagged around 20 major flaws in the Kala Academy’s renovation. As a result, the government has brought in external consultants for corrective measures, and the contractor is expected to be blacklisted after completing rectification work. Both the Vigilance Department and Anti-Corruption Bureau had previously raised red flags, suggesting a prima facie scam of up to ₹49 crore—findings that led to the formation of the technical panel.
The submission of this long-awaited report marks a key moment in efforts to address persistent allegations of corruption and mismanagement tied to the Kala Academy project, placing the onus on the government to act decisively based on the findings.