Goa minister Govind Gaude takes a dig at CM Pramod Sawant, alleges corruption in tribal welfare dept
Margao:
Art and culture minister Govind Gaude on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department during a Prerna Din function and raised questions about the department's administrative efficiency and transparency.
'A huge amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the tribal welfare department. If it's unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it only shows a lack of control over the administration,' Gaude said at the event organised by the tribal welfare department in association with the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) at Ponda The minister was seemingly piqued over the poor turnout at the event.
His comments are being viewed as politically significant given that CM
Pramod Sawant
also holds the tribal welfare portfolio.
Gaude also made allegations about some behind-the-scenes operations. 'The files of the contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan building on the sly. And they think we don't know of such things,' he said.
Later Gaude questioned govt's failure in fulfilling the long-pending tribal bhavan construction project. 'Construction of a tribal bhavan is a long-pending demand of the tribals. The community gave their land for the project, the foundation stone was laid when I was the tribal minister. The project has been stalled for the last three years,' he said to reporters. 'Why is there no progress on the project? The tribal department should explain.
'
In what appeared to be a direct aim at the chief minister, Gaude called for immediate intervention from the top. 'The chief minister should guide the department properly and get the issues, if any, resolved immediately,' he said.
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