PANAJI
The Congress and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Friday intensified their criticism of the BJP-led State government over its decision to waive nearly Rs 2 crore in electricity charges for the Formula 4 racing event held at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, alleging misuse of public funds.
The opposition parties demanded greater transparency over the expenses incurred for the event.
Addressing a press conference, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Working President Sunil Kawthankar criticised the government’s decision to waive electricity charges for what he called a private sporting event. He questioned why public resources were being used to benefit private organisers.
“The government has waived Rs 2 crore in electricity charges for a private Formula 4 event. Public resources should not be used to subsidise private events,” he said.
Goa Forward Party Vice President Dilip Prabhudesai, at a separate press conference, also criticised the move, stating that while ordinary consumers face penalties and disconnections for unpaid electricity bills, the government had waived a Rs 2 crore bill for a private event allegedly linked to a Chennai-based company.
Prabhudesai further claimed that nearly Rs 58.9 crore of public money was spent on the event and sought details on whether the government had received its agreed 30 per cent share of ticket revenue from the organisers.
“The government should publish a White Paper within 10 days detailing the total expenditure, concessions granted, ticket revenue generated and the amount received by the State,” he demanded.
