PANJIM: The Goa Government spent a whopping Rs 9.25 crore on the closing ceremony of 60th year of Goa’s liberation that was attended by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 19, 2021 at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, reveals the information furnished to activist Adv Aires Rodrigues under the RTI Act by the Directorate of Information & Publicity.
Rodrigues has now demanded vigilance inquiry into all the extravagant expenditure incurred on various events by the State government including over Rs 5 crore on the swearing in ceremony of the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and eight Ministers, last year.
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As per the RTI information the Event management contract was entrusted to Vasco based Vinsan Graphics. Of the total expenditure incurred Rs 8,91,16,612 was paid to Vinsan Graphics while Rs 28, 46,229 was spent on hiring of 391 buses which included 208, KTC buses, 20 of Bal Rath and 163 private buses. An amount of Rs 5,60,500 was also paid to the Sports Authority of Goa towards rental charges of the venue.
Further, the expenditure incurred on that event includes an amount of Rs 19,40,000 that was spent on hire of sofas and chairs for VIPs, An amount of Rs 18,700,000 on the Stage décor and arrangements.
Shockingly, Rs 15 lakhs were spent on high tea for 600 VIPs while Rs 14,000, 00 on snacks for 7000 persons. Rs 5, 76, 0000 was the hire of 16 LED screens for public viewing inside the stadium. The hire of generators for the event was Rs 85, 01, 930
Expenditure of Rs 13,000, 00 was incurred on advertisements while Rs 2, 40, 000 was spent on printing of 600 invitations for the event. A further amount of Rs 1, 60,000 was spent on a red carpet from the entrance to the stage.
Rs 41, 250, 00 was spent on the sound system for the event while Rs 17,000, 00 was incurred lights at the venue. Rs 11,000, 00 on CCTV Cameras installed for the occasion. An amount of Rs 25,000, 00 was paid for the erection of a pandal outside the stadium with seating arrangements and LED screens.
Rs 8, 67,300 was spent on making a 5 minutes 10 seconds audio visual film on inauguration of government projects while Rs 34,000, 00 on two entrance gates installed, one at the venue and the other at Azad Maidan.
