Goa ministers spent Rs 19 Cr holidaying abroad: CAG expose by CNN-IBN
SHAWAN SEN/CNN-IBN, PANAJI | 17 June 2014 17:00 IST
After the recent controversy over Goa ministers being sent on a study tour to Brazil for the World Cup, CNN-IBN has now learnt that several ministers in the Goa government have been globe trotting in the name of study tours and striking trade deals. But not much has been yielded from such trips.
The CAG report accessed by CNN-IBN shows how the tourism department has failed despite ministers embarking on such trips on a frequent basis. Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, who assumed office in 2011, is one such minister with the maximum number of foreign trips.
The CAG report reveals that during the period 2007-2012, the department has participated in 38 International Trade Marts (ITMs) and organised 15 road shows worldwide. The expenditure incurred during this period by the department was Rs 19 crore. Audit suggests no MoUs were signed during any of these roadshows or ITMs.
The report says that the department conducted 14 roadshows incurring an expenditure of 4 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. They managed to ensure a mere 25 to 64 participants.
Ministers on holiday on taxpayers' money?
- In March 2013, Parulekar attended roadshows in Berlin, Netherlands and Denmark.
- In December 2013, Parulekar went on road shows in Los Angeles, New York.
- Other ministers have also gone on similar trips.
- Industries minister Mahadev Naik went toDubai for the India Trade Fair.
- In September 2013, deputy speaker Anant Shet went to Russia for an exhibition.
- MLA Ganesh Gaonkar went to ITB Asia in Singapore.
- For the road shows in Australia and New Zealand, MLA Nilesh Cabral was sent as part of the delegation which also included other members of the tourism department.
Daylight Robbery by both congress and bjp.there is no diferences between congress and bjp.
GOANEWS should verify that CAG report is of 2007-12 which was congress rule in the state.
Congress and BJP Are Enemy In Front Of Public. But In Reality They Are One. Both Are Corrupt Parties. AAP Is The Only Hope.
Delhi got Swaraj, Punjab will get Swaraj very soon! When Goa will get Swaraj? Goans Must Demand To Pass Swaraj Act. Development As Per Goan Wishes. MPs & MLAs Funds In The Hands Of Goans. Goans Will Decide How To Use These MPs & MLAs Funds.
What a shame, so much money spent for negligible returns!
Whether Congress or BJP does not matter. All are birds of same feathers and MGP is a common factor in both.
And they cry at the top of their voice saying revenues have declined!
My appeal to the press is to dig more and let people know all the sins of the governments!
Whose father what goes?
Shoddy journalism! BJP assumed power in Goa in April 2012. All the undertakings mentioned here are prior to that period. Dilip Parulekar was not tourism minister when these projects were sanctioned. Yet no mention of the congress government who were the actual culprits.
What a royal way of fooling people. The report says 19 Cr were spent during the period 2007-2012. And the list includes only from 2013, BJP Govt.
Who spent how much money from 2007-2012? Wasn't the congress in power back then? You must criticize but put the tings in perspective. No mention of congress in the report.
It seems like Chief Minster Parrikar has yet another unknown Portfolio under his command.
That Portfolio other than Home Minster,Mines Minister ,Education Minister etc is " Travel Agent ".
He now provides Travel Tours to all his MLA`s. Off Course all of it, Free of Charge,....and it Motto is...is anytime , anywhere, any place.
and what does Mr Parrikar get for this benevolence.? well it is a Guarantee he will keep his Chief Ministership.
Money may not influence The CM. However Power to Dictate does.
Hitler too was not interested in wealth or Banking a huge fortune in neighbouing Swiss Banks . Hitler`s main obsession in life, was Supreme Power.