Liberated for choosing truth over power: Govind Gaude
Former art and culture minister Govind Gaude issued a defiant statement following his ouster from chief minister
Pramod Sawant
's cabinet on Wednesday. Gaude said he would always choose 'truth over power' and termed his removal as a 'liberation' to voice the struggles of the oppressed.
In his statement on social media platforms, Gaude said: 'There can be no greater honour than to be recognised on Goa Revolution Day for standing with the weak and oppressed. I am grateful to govt and the party for liberating me to give voice to the struggle — the very cause for which govt has taken this stance. When faced with the choice between power and truth, I will always choose truth.'
Gaude's removal from the cabinet stemmed directly from his attack on the tribal welfare department during a Prerna Din function on May 25, where he launched a scathing criticism of the department's administrative efficiency and transparency, and veiled allegations of corruption. The department is under CM Sawant.
Political observers said by terming his dismissal as 'liberation', Gaude has signalled his intention to continue to champion the cause of the tribals despite losing his ministerial position.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
Gaude criticises CM-headed finance dept for undermining engineers, seeks policy tweaks
Porvorim: Priol MLA Govind Gaude, speaking in the assembly for the first time as a legislator since he was unceremoniously dropped from the cabinet last month, scathingly criticised inter-departmental inefficiencies, also hitting out at the CM-headed finance department. Gaude was particularly acerbic in slamming the finance department for raising queries on proposals at the time of granting final expenditure sanctions, when they had already passed muster with the technical department and secured administrative approvals. He said this amounted to undermining the competence of senior engineers responsible for granting technical clearance. 'Does the finance department mean to suggest that engineers are incompetent?' he said. 'If so, the posts of principal chief engineer, chief engineers, and superintendent engineers should be abolished, as this implies their inefficiency.' Gaude attributed this situation to what he said were inter-departmental ego conflicts. He said, 'It is imperative that they keep their egos aside in the larger interest of the state's development.' The former minister stressed the need for proper planning, coordination, time-bound delivery of services, and timely completion of projects to ensure effective budget implementation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dolly Parton, 79, Takes off Her Makeup and Leaves Us Without Words The Noodle Box Undo He made a strong pitch for tweaking govt policies to remove bureaucratic obstacles hindering the successful implementation of welfare schemes for farmers, tribals, and the marginalised. Gaude specifically pointed to the requirement for farmers to obtain NOC of landlords before installing irrigation facilities in their fields, and for applicants to secure govt employees as witnesses for availing certain housing schemes of govt departments or corporations. 'Many landlords who may be staying in America or Mumbai show little interest in their fields and are reluctant to grant such permissions, leading to the rejection of the applications,' he said. Gaude said, '(In the case of housing schemes) govt employees are often unwilling to stand witness for applicants, and the needy are deprived of the schemes. Let the chief minister provide the guarantee for applicants, just the way we say 'Modi's guarantee' for central schemes.'
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Not just tribals, other communities also benefiting from Forest Rights Act in Goa: Official
Panaji, The Forest Rights Act is primarily known for protecting the land rights of tribal communities, but it is also benefiting several other groups, covering a wider section of society, in Goa, a senior official has said. Not just tribals, other communities also benefiting from Forest Rights Act in Goa: Official Ajay Ramchandra Gaude, state nodal officer for the implementation of the Act in the coastal state, said that of the 10,136 claims they have received, more than 4,000 have been made by 'Other Forest Dwellers' . The Goa government under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced that it will clear all land claims filed under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, popularly known as the Forest Rights Act, before December 19. Gaude told PTI Videos that most of the claims have been received from the talukas of Canacona and Dharbandora in South Goa and Sattari in North Goa. In Sattari, of the 2,460 claims settled so far, only 46 belong to members of the Scheduled Tribe community, while 2,414 have been filed by those from non-ST groups. As far as claims filed by groups as a single entity, no such requests have come from the ST community. However, 22 similar claims have been filed by OTFDs, he said. According to the official, anybody belonging to any community, caste, or any religion can put in their claims if they live in the forest and depend on forest produce for sustenance. In Dharbandora taluka, of the 1,704 claims settled, 761 are of tribals, 964 are non-ST beneficiaries. Of the 73 community claims in this taluka, 26 are of ST beneficiaries and 47 are from non-ST groups, the official said. Gaude said the Forest Rights Act was brought in to help those living in forest areas for years and depending on forest produce. 'So, the Forest Rights Act is basically for everyone. There is a misconception that the Forest Rights Act is only for the tribal community. It is not so,' he said. 'It's not just the tribal community that is benefiting under the Act. Through these forest rights claims, we are giving 'sanads' to different communities in the state of Goa,' he said. However, the scene is different in the Canacona taluka, where all the 2,450 individuals whose claims are being settled belong to the ST community. Vishant Ranganath Khandeparkar, a resident of Codli village in Dharbandora taluka, said his forefathers cultivated their land for more than 100 years. 'After them, I am continuing it. Through the Act, we have got the sanad. The government and the forest department have done a good job,' said the non-ST beneficiary. Babita Nagesh Lambor, another non-tribal claimant and resident of Collem village in Dharbandora taluka, said they have been living in forest areas for over a century. 'Earlier, we used to grow rice, sugarcane, cashewnut, coconut, and much more. We have got the sanad from the government and subsequently received benefits from the Agriculture Department,' she said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
CM hits back at Gaude over tribal welfare criticism
Margao: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday mounted a strong defence of his govt's performance on the tribal welfare front, taking veiled swipes at Govind Gaude, whom Sawant had recently sacked as the art and culture minister. Gaude's ouster followed his corruption charges against the CM-led tribal welfare department and accusations of inefficiency. Speaking at the launch of the Dharti Aabha Janbhagidari Abhiyan at Sanguem, Sawant listed various schemes and initiatives launched for tribals during his tenure as CM. 'And someone says I haven't done anything for the tribals,' Sawant said, alluding to Gaude's criticism. 'I may not be related by blood with my tribal brethren, but I have an emotional connect with them, a social relationship, something that comes from within, and therefore, I was able to implement 100% of the schemes.' Sawant said, 'If anything, caring for tribals runs in BJP's DNA. Previous govts wouldn't even acknowledge the existence of tribal communities, let alone their issues.' To drive home the point on his tribal welfare initiatives, Sawant said that when he took over, 10,000 applications were pending under the Forest Rights Act. 'My govt was able to grant sanads to 3,500 applicants,' he said. 'The rest will get the sanads by Dec 19 this year.' The administration is working in the mission mode to achieve the target, Sawant said. He also pointed to the establishment of the tribal commission and the tribal corporation after he took over as CM. He said a tribal research centre is being set up at Sanguem, a tribal museum has been proposed at Farmagudi, and the Kunbi village at Sanguem is set to be ready in three months. In a pointed jibe at Gaude, Sawant said, 'It pains me deeply when I come to know of the hardships any of my tribal brothers face, be it for want of a toilet or a tap, and that speaks of my passion for uplifting the tribals.' Sawant said, 'Many who had blood relationships with tribals came and went but couldn't do anything worthwhile.' Union minister for tribal affairs Jual Oram and state social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai were among those present for the function.
