MARGAO: Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado on Monday conceded that he has not yet cleared the payment to the government towards his travel for the World Cup at Brazil, but hastened to add that he is clearing the amount part by part.
During his informal chat with the media on the sidelines of the 60th National school games at the SAG complex, Fatorda, Avertano was flooded with queries from the media on the delay in making the repayments to the government.
Caught completely by surprise over queries on his Brazil trip, Avertano maintained that the payment will be made to the government part by part. In a bid to wriggle out of the embarrassing situation, Avertano said he would very soon complete the full payments to the government, but had no explanation over the delay in making the payments as it has been five months since curtains had come down on the world up in Brazil in July last.
When the media sought to know how much of the payment he had cleared till date, Avertano stated that he has paid around Rs three lakh odd amount to the government. “The remaining amount will be paid part by part”, he added.
Avertano along with his colleague from Velim and two other MLAs had proceeded to Brazil to watch the World Cup football matches at their expense after their planned junket had raised a hue and cry across the country.
