PANJIM: Bending to the immense pressure from all sides for some sort of accountability on foreign trips aka junkets, by the Tourism Department, the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar only announced a pre-audit of future foreign trips and reiterated that he would frame guidelines. But, he also promised to audit trips in the 2007-2012 period, when the Congress-led government was in power.
“Till now there was no clear cut (tourism) policy. Once it is released, government will not approve any such trip without pre-auditing. Let us bring them under pre-audit. In future, accountability will be set and the trips will be examined including the cost it will incur,” he told the House.
Yet it was a backhanded admission to irregularities and tremendous over spending of scam like proportions on the numerous foreign trips to attend road shows and world travel marts.
His announcement came after Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai alleged that there was a major scam into the foreign trips during the present tenure of the BJP-led coalition. He also repeatedly pointed out to the CAG report of 2007-12 that said the Tourism Department had not made much headway despite ministers embarking on foreign trips on a frequent basis.
Sardesai also flashed a document in the House claiming he has the list of similar trips planned by the ruling coalition for the coming six months. He, however, did not disclose the details. “This is a ‘setting’ he alleged.
Parrikar’s reply to this allegation triggered a verbal spat between him and Sardesai, after which the chief minister asserted that he would inquire into overseas trips revealed in the CAG report. Sardesai, who attempted to corner Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar on the issue, argued that his allegations are pertaining to the current trips.
“Auditing of all the trips through accounts or retired audit officers into the past trips highlighted in the CAG will be carried out. Why are you (Sardesai) getting scared… and if any ‘setting’ is done for the next six months, then you must be well versed in it with the past trips,” he told Sardesai. The legislator quickly stood up and shot back, “I’m not afraid of your threats. I’m an independent MLA and will go to any extent to expose scams. I am trying to expose corruption but you (CM) are killing the messenger.”
Parrikar also asked the MLA to submit specific detail for any inquiry. “If expenditure is reasonable, I don’t fear for any speculation. Bring it to my notice. Not everything can be done on allegations,” he said.
What is important to note is that the CAG report on record pertains to the earlier Congress regime. But there is every reason to believe that nothing really has changed. A recently released CAG report reveals that during the period 2007-2012, the department participated in 38 International Trade Marts (ITMs) and organized 15 road shows worldwide. The expenditure incurred during this period was Rs 19 crore. The audit suggested no MoUs were signed during any of these roadshows or ITMs. The report had further mentioned that the Department conducted 14 roadshows incurring an expenditure of Rs four crore between August 2011 and November 2011. They were expected to contact 150 major tour operators/travel planners for participation in the events and showcase Goa as a brand but managed to ensure a mere 25 to 64 participants.
What the CAG report says…
u During 2007-2012, the dept participated in 38 ITMs, organized 15 road shows worldwide
u Expenditure incurred during this period was Rs 19 crore; No MoUs were signed
u Between Aug & Nov 2011 the dept conducted 14 roadshows incurring an expenditure of Rs 4 cr
u 150 major tour operators/travel planners were to be contacted but managed to ensure just 25 to 64 participants
