Congress alleges ₹304.24 cr scam in Goa, ‘Mini-Adani’ Nexus
Goa’s ruling BJP government is under intense scrutiny following allegations of a massive Rs. 304.24 crore scam in public funds. The accusations, led by Shri Pawan Khera, Chairman of the Media & Publicity Department at AICC, highlight a series of government contracts awarded without competitive bidding, raising serious concerns over transparency and financial propriety. This exposes the hollowness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proclaimed stance against corruption.
In his statement, Shri Pawan Khera pointed out how BJP has established a network of what he calls ‘Mini-Adanis’ in Goa. These favored private entities have reportedly been handed plum contracts without due process, openly violating procurement manuals and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines. He further alleged that the funds amassed through these illicit contracts are used to consolidate BJP’s power in Goa through undemocratic means.
Key Irregularities in Goa’s Public Contracts:
1. Smart Water Supply IoT Project (Rs. 247.18 Crore)
– The Goa government awarded this project under the Jal Jeevan Mission without a proper competitive bidding process.
– This decision flouted norms, as projects of this magnitude are required to go through an open tender process.
2. Public Works Department (PWD) Irregularities (Rs. 148.66 Crore)
– Several road improvement projects were carried out without prior financial sanction.
– Two major instances:
– A Rs. 32.16 crore road reinstatement project was completed before being presented for approval.
– A Rs. 5.25 crore road-widening project in Bicholim followed a similar post-facto approval pattern.
3. Siolim Power Infrastructure Improvement Scheme (Rs. 32.14 Crore)
– The project was broken into four smaller contracts, each below Rs. 7 crore, to evade the mandatory open bidding process.
4. Consultancy and Procurement Scams
– Rs. 29.17 crore for a highway consultancy was awarded without an open selection process, violating Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) norms.
– Rs. 24.56 crore animal feed procurement was handed to a Maharashtra PSU without inviting tenders, defying Government e-Marketplace rules.
5. Expenditure Without Prior Sanctions
– Several projects were completed first and later presented for formal approval:
– PWD Division II projects (Rs. 2.74 crore)
– Goa Medical College renovation (Rs. 2.03 crore)
– Minister’s office chamber repairs (Rs. 20.34 crore)
6. Questionable Event Expenses
– Vikasit Bharat event in Margao (Rs. 13.22 crore): Full contracts were awarded and money spent without administrative sanction.
– Goa CSR Conclave 2023 (Rs. 2.78 crore): Approved after execution.
– PM Modi’s Goa visit (Rs. 21.37 crore): Expenses were finalized post-event, rather than sanctioned beforehand.
7. Contracts Given on a Nomination Basis
– Statehood Day Celebrations (Rs. 20.90 crore) awarded to Goa’s Leading news Chnnel.
– Swearing-in Ceremony (Rs. 5.57 crore) awarded to Event Comapny from Vasco Graphics.
– Justification: “Paucity of time,” despite these being pre-planned events.
8. Fire Station Construction Manipulations
– The Rs. 1 crore fire station project in Cuncolim was broken into five separate contracts under Rs. 250 lakh each to avoid open tenders.
9. Extended Contracts Without Fresh Bidding
– Rs. 20.78 crore contract for live streaming government events extended to Asian Films without re-tendering.
Congress’ Burning Questions for PM Modi:
1. Where is the ED, CBI, IT, and CVC when it comes to Goa?
– Despite registering 193 cases against politicians nationwide in the last decade, how many cases has the ED filed in Goa?
2. Why is Modi silent on BJP’s corruption in Goa?
– While he aggressively promotes his ‘fight against corruption,’ why does his government allow blatant financial mismanagement in Goa?
3. Who are the ‘Mini-Adanis’ in Goa?
– Are these entities benefiting from government contracts in return for funding BJP’s backdoor political maneuvers?
4. Will the Modi government take action against CM Pramod Sawant and his ministers?
– If PM Modi is serious about ending corruption, will he investigate the leaders responsible for these irregularities?
Final Verdict: Goa’s Loot Must Stop
The allegations highlight a pattern of financial mismanagement, favoritism, and post-facto approvals that blatantly violate governance norms. The BJP government in Goa appears to be operating with unchecked power, diverting public funds to a select few while evading scrutiny.
PM Modi’s rhetoric of ‘Na Khaunga, Na Khane Doonga’ is now being challenged by these shocking revelations. If his government is indeed serious about corruption, it must prove its credibility by initiating immediate investigations into these irregularities and holding the guilty accountable.
Until then, the people of Goa remain the victims of this grand political heist. The fight against corruption cannot be selective, and justice must prevail, not just in words but in action.
