MAPUSA
On the last day of the Assembly session, the Opposition once again cornered the government over irregularities at the Khelo India Centre of Excellence at Campal, Panaji especially in the appointment of staff and offering catering contract at a scaled up cost.
Alleging nepotism in appointment of staff, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Thursday said that all the 14 staff absorbed at the centre came from the Sports Minister’s constituency. “Earlier, we were pointing fingers to Valpoi. Now it’s happening in Priol. How is it possible to offer all 14 jobs to people from one constituency? The recruitment has been carried out without following codal formalities. Even the cabinet was misled,” Sardesai lashed out, targeting the Sports Minister.
He further said that in all other Khelo India centres, food for sport trainees was supplied at Rs 500 per day but in Goa it was contracted at a premium of Rs 1,500 per day.
“With Rs 1,500 per day, it’s almost like offering a five-star facility,” he said.
Responding to the charges, Sports Minister Govind Gaude said that the 14 staff were taken on contract basis.
He said since the staff at the Khelo India centre was needed on urgent basis the matter was placed before the cabinet and after getting the approval the department issued an ex-post facto appointment to the concerned staff. “Finally, giving service is what is important. They may be from Priol or somewhere else,” Gaude said defending his action.
As far as the expensive catering contract was concerned, he said, even the department had found the rate exorbitant but were helpless. He said the department had rejected the first tender and floated a second tender. “Since the students were already undertaking training we could not delay and had to go with the lowest tender which was Rs 1,500 per day,” he said.
Stating that there should not be any corruption in the sports department, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira said it was learnt that some of the equipment bought at the centre was of substandard quality and questioned the minister if it was true.
The Sports Minister initially denied the charge but later sought to correct himself that some equipment bought in 2021 was not of good quality.
Goans hesitate to join Khelo India centre: Gaude
MAPUSA: Sports Minister Govind Gaude on Wednesday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that 56 per cent students undergoing training at the Khelo India Centre of Excellence were from outside the State while admitting that Goans were hesitant to join the centre.
“Of the 73 students being trained in various sports disciplines at the Khelo India Centre of Excellence at Campal “ 32 (44%) are Goans while 41 (56%) are from other States. Goans are not coming forward to avail the training facility and even those who join leave the training mid-way,” Gaude said.
Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira suggested that the sports department should carry out proper propaganda in the State so that Goans come forward and take advantage of the facility.
