₹398 Crore for Goa Must Benefit the People, Not the BJP’s ‘Mission Total Commission’: Amarnath Panjikar

₹398 Crore for Goa Must Benefit the People, Not the BJP’s ‘Mission Total Commission’: Amarnath Panjikar

Panaji: Reacting to the release of ₹398 crore to Goa by the Union Government as part of tax devolution, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Media & Communication Department Chairman Amarnath Panjikar today said that while any financial assistance for the development of Goa is welcome, the people of the State have every reason to fear that these funds could once again become a victim of the BJP Government’s “Mission Total Commission.”

Panjikar said that Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has thanked the Union Government for releasing the funds. However, the Chief Minister owes an even bigger assurance to the people of Goa that every rupee of this public money will be spent transparently, honestly and strictly in the public interest.

“The BJP Government has developed a notorious reputation for converting public expenditure into opportunities for commissions, favouritism and political patronage. Before celebrating the release of ₹398 crore, the Chief Minister must tell the people how this money will be utilised and what safeguards are in place to prevent corruption,” Panjikar said.

He alleged that the BJP Government has consistently squandered taxpayers’ money on extravagant publicity campaigns, unnecessary events and programmes held in the name of cultural heritage promotion, while basic public services, employment generation, healthcare, education and infrastructure continue to suffer.

“Goans have repeatedly witnessed government funds being diverted towards wasteful expenditure instead of addressing people’s real needs. The culture of organising lavish events with questionable expenditure cannot become the destination for this fresh allocation,” he remarked.

Launching a sharp attack on the Government’s procurement practices, Panjikar alleged that the BJP Government has institutionalised the practice of awarding contracts through nomination instead of adopting transparent and competitive tendering.

“Nomination tenders have become the BJP’s preferred route because they provide maximum scope for favouritism and commissions. If this ₹398 crore is distributed through nomination contracts, it will only reinforce public perception that the Government’s real agenda is not development but ‘Mission Total Commission’,” he said.

Panjikar further alleged that corruption has become deeply embedded in the functioning of the BJP Government.

“Today, corruption, commission and competition for securing a percentage from every government expenditure have become the unfortunate hallmarks of this Government. Ministers, BJP MLAs and party functionaries appear to be competing over who can extract the biggest share from public projects instead of competing to deliver better governance,” he charged.

The Congress leader demanded that the Government place the complete utilisation plan for the ₹398 crore in the public domain and ensure that every project funded through this allocation follows a transparent e-tendering process with full public disclosure.