PANAJI
Under intense fire after around 242 tonnes of tur dal got spoilt in 11 godowns during his previous tenure as civil supplies minister, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude insisted that a high-level committee had procured essential food items and that the civil supplies department has no role in the matter.
Gaude claimed that he is also ready to face any inquiry in the matter.
"I am ready to face any inquiry in the tur dal issue. During the Covid pandemic, the government had formed a high-level committee to procure essential food items and the civil supplies department has no role in it,” said Gaude.
“In fact, after getting to know that the tur dal got spoilt, I had ordered an inquiry in the matter,” added Gaude, while seeking to absolve himself of any wrongdoing.
Around 242 tonnes of tur dal got spoilt in the 11 godowns of the State, prompting Opposition parties to squarely blame then civil supplies minister Govind Gaude.
“Over 200 tonnes of tur dal were procured and it was decided to give it to people at a low rate. However, it was found that the tur dal got spoilt. On January 13, 2021, I had ordered an inquiry in the matter. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has also approved the inquiry on February 4, 2021,” said Gaude.
"I am in no way connected to the issue. But still, if any inquiry is initiated, I am ready to face the inquiry. I have all documents related to the issue,” said Gaude.
Meanwhile, the Congress on Saturday insisted that the BJP government explain why government did not utilise the grant by the central government for distribution of essential food items and why was tur dal kept in the godowns.
“Why was this tur dal not distributed to Goans during the Covid pandemic,” asked Sanjay Barde, spokesperson of Goa Pradesh Congress.
