PANJIM: In a surprising turn of events, Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Friday pointed to the allegations of panchayat members of Canacona, accusing Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude of involvement in misappropriation of funds in the disbursement to cultural groups for programmes. He demanded an inquiry in the matter.
Speaking to reporters at Porvorim, Tawadkar, who is the MLA of Canacona, pointed out that panchayat members of three village panchayats of Shristhal, Cotigao and Gaondongrem from Canacona taluka had alleged that several organisations had fraudulently obtained funds to the tune of Rs 26.85 lakh from the Directorate of Art and Culture for holding cultural programmes, which they alleged never took place.
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He said that the panchayat members were not aware of the programmes and it needs to be probed. He said that the village panchayat on Friday submitted their representations to him and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, seeking a detailed inquiry into the siphoning of government funds.
Tawadkar said, “It is regrettable that a Minister from our own government is behaving irresponsibly and not following protocol. This is the first time I am experiencing it. It should not happen.”
Tawadkar said that he briefed the Chief Minister in his Assembly chamber and told him that such things cannot be tolerated.
“What was most shocking was that the programmes were shown as organised during the monsoon. I am from the same village but I had no invitation nor am I aware of the programmes because they were not held.”
“I don’t know the intention of the Minister and I have sought a detailed report from the Director of Art and Culture. Funds have been released to two organisations, whose office-bearers are from the same house,” Tawadkar said, adding, “This cannot happen without permission of the Minister.”
Reiterating his demand for a detailed investigation into the siphoning of funds, Tawadkar said that he will take up this matter before the party forum.
On Thursday, panchayat members of the three village panchayats from Canacona taluka had demanded an inquiry into the alleged siphoning of funds belonging to the Directorate of Art and Culture.
They had stated that money was siphoned off for three programmes which were not held in the village. How is it possible to hold three cultural programmes in the same ward on a single day?
On the other hand, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude said that he would initiate an inquiry in the matter. Claiming that his functioning is transparent, Gaude said, “It is unfortunate that the Speaker chose the Assembly session to level charges against me.”
Gaude said, “‘I have been saying for the last seven years that it is my duty to honour the artistes. Aim of the financial assistance is to promote the local artistes. Those who have made the allegations should understand its importance. Maybe they have not understood the scheme, which is very simple. An individual or any institution can apply for this.”
“The government’s scheme has not been framed keeping in mind the interest of any political party. It is for the common man. The process is clean, systematic and transparent. If somebody has a grudge against me then they should raise the issue at the right platform. I have been in the BJP since 1994. Maybe someone did not like the progress of the Art and Culture department and that is why the allegations have been made against me,” Gaude added.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has demanded immediate resignation of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude for a free and fair probe into the incident.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao posted on ‘X’, “On the day when Hon’ble Governor @psspillaigov praised @BJP4Goa Govt for 0 Tolerance to Corruption, a few minutes later Hon. Speaker @ramesh_tawadkar makes public a fraud accusing Minister of Art and Culture @Govind_Gaude. Do I need to talk anything more on Corruption & Frauds?”
Demanding resignation of the Minister, Goa Forward Party president and MLA Vijai Sardesai posted on ‘X’, “The honourable Speaker of the Assembly @ramesh_tawadkar’s allegation of a scam in the Art and Culture Ministry, and his accusation of misappropriation of funds by the minister has to be viewed with the utmost seriousness and attention it deserves. I stand vindicated as I have raised this issue myself many times before but to no avail.”
“@GovtofGoa must immediately launch a comprehensive and independent investigation into this affair. The minister’s position has become untenable now with such scathing comments from the Assembly’s presiding authority, and I demand that he step down and face the inquiry,” Sardesai stated.
