the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has demanded a probe into the tendering process of the Aqua Goa mega fish festival, suspecting hanky panky in the entire process.
Fisheries Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, however, rubbished the allegations made by the state Congress president, saying there’s no basis in the allegations, terming them as baseless.
While the GPCC chief suspected hanky panky in the tendering process when the government awarded the contract to organise three-day event, the Fisheries Minister pointed out that this is not the first time that the Aqua festival is being held in the state, adding that the department has complied with the tendering formalities before awarding the contract.
In fact, Filipe said the tender was finalised by the selection panel which was constituted to go into the tendering of the event. “There’s no hanky-panky dealing in the award of the tender. The department had complied with the formalities,” he said.
The GPCC Chief said a complaint has been lodged with the Chief Secretary demanding a vigilance inquiry into the matter.
The Congress president said the government is yet to come clean on the supply of safe fish in the market, with consumers still feeling insecure to buy the fish, saying the government has failed to set up a laboratory to test the fish.
“The BJP government has no money to pay to the self help groups, vocational teachers, social welfare scheme beneficiaries and contractor, but is spending lavishly on promotional events”, he added.
