Goan ministers paid trip to Brazil World Cup storms controversyTop Stories

June 13, 2014 11:33
Goan ministers paid trip to Brazil World Cup storms controversy},{Goan ministers paid trip to Brazil World Cup storms controversy

(Image source from: Goan ministers paid trip to Brazil World Cup storms controversy})

Isn't it a little eyebrow-raising when a sports-crazy state like Goa decides to pack off six of its MLA's to Brazil just in time of the World Cup and that too on state funds?

While Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar chooses to dub it as a “study tour”, we believe the timing couldn't be more appropriate for the government to send its MLA's on a trip to Rio de Janeiro, footing a bill of 89 lakhs.

This sudden, uncalled-for visit has brought both Parrikar and his MLA's under the scanner with Congress deeming it as a misutilzation of public funds and demanding that the trip be scrapped.

Condemning the move and holding it in direct contravention of Modi's directive against misuse of funds, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that at a time when the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is batting for sanitation, house, and water for poor people, how can BJP ministers in Goa fritter a whopping 89 lakh to go and watch a football match?

Shooting down the allegations, Parrikar said that the junket was being given to his legislators as an investment by the state government, given soccer is the state sport of Goa. Further defending his MLAs and himself, the CM said that the group of Brazil-bound legislators are footballers in their own rights and that the decision to send them to Brazil is in interest of the recently started Lusofonia games.

Parrikar said that the state is also bidding for the U-17 FIFA football world cup scheduled to be held in 2017.

"We are spending crores of rupees for the match. We are in the process of constructing two football stadiums," he added.

Officials from the chief minister's office too clarified: "This is basically a study tour for politicians and chief minister had no objection to it. Except politicians, no bureaucrats will go to Brazil. Only politicians, who can bring vision to the game, are being sent."

Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado, Power Minister Milind Naik along with 6 other MLAs will be flying to Brazil on a 10-day trip from July 1 as part of a "study tour". The state's sports department has already released Rs 89 lakh for the trip.

Quite interestingly, no government official or football expert, will be accompanying the delegation to Brazil.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury

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