Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude publicly alleged corruption within the Department of Tribal Welfare, the controversy deepened on Monday with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stating that the government had “taken note” of the minister’s remarks and that appropriate action would be taken against him.
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“We have taken note of his statement. Appropriate action will be initiated as early as possible,” Sawant told reporters on his return from Delhi. Without naming Gaude directly, the Chief Minister said that irresponsible statements should not be made, especially by those holding public office.
“A responsible minister should speak responsibly. There are proper channels to address grievances,” he added.
On Sunday, Gaude, while speaking at the Prerna Din event in Ponda, had claimed that contractors dealing with the Tribal Welfare Department — located at Shrama Shakti Bhavan, Patto — were being asked to pay bribes before their files were processed.
“The administration has weakened. ‘Something’ is taken from contractors, and only then are they told to submit their files,” Gaude had said.
He further accused the government of failing to fulfil promises made to the tribal community, including the long-pending construction of a Tribal Bhavan, and even threatened to launch an agitation if their demands continued to be ignored.
Gaude’s remarks have not only embarrassed the ruling BJP but also handed the opposition a political opportunity. Several opposition leaders have demanded that the Anti-Corruption Branch immediately probe the allegations and take action against those involved in bribery.
BJP State president Sadanand Naik echoed the CM’s stand, stating that disciplinary action would be taken against Gaude. “Such indiscipline will not be tolerated in the future. BJP is a disciplined party. Grievances should be aired through the proper forum,” Naik said.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva also responded sharply to the controversy, demanding an independent and transparent inquiry into both the bribery allegations and the delays in the Tribal Bhavan project. He said the tribal community had waited far too long for basic infrastructure and fair treatment.
“These allegations are serious and must not be swept under the carpet. We need accountability at every level,” Silva said.
He further criticised the lack of implementation of tribal welfare schemes and renewed the long-standing demand for ST reservation in the Goa Legislative Assembly, saying the Scheduled Tribe community in Goa continues to be neglected despite constitutional safeguards.
The incident has fuelled sharp criticism from the opposition. Goa Forward Party president and MLA Vijai Sardesai called Gaude’s remarks a reflection of the “institutionalised corruption” in the BJP-led government.
“This is not a revelation, but a sign of utter frustration with his own government,” Sardesai said, in a social media post. “Since the corruption he mentioned falls under the Chief Minister’s portfolio, Goa is now waiting to see whether @Dr Pramod P Sawant takes any stern action—or whether this cabinet will proudly retain its title as the most corrupt government Goa has ever seen.”
AAP Goa secretary Francis Coelho went a step further, blaming the Chief Minister directly for the alleged corruption.“Minister Gaude is just a pawn in a larger money-making system. This reflects deep differences between him and the CM. We hold the CM responsible,” Coelho said, adding that AAP would begin efforts to educate Goans on the issue.
As the storm brews within the Cabinet, all eyes are now on Chief Minister Sawant—whether he will act firmly to defuse a crisis triggered from within his own government, and whether Gaude has any other moves up his sleeve.
