Latest news with #GovindGaude
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gaude speaks to party, BJP to send report to Delhi for action
Panaji: Art and culture minister Govind Gaude on Monday explained his side to BJP regarding his statement in connection with the allegations of corruption in the chief minister Pramod Sawant-held tribal welfare department. BJP state president Damodar Naik said that he will send a report to Delhi, and central leaders will decide on the action against Gaude. 'Gaude has explained his side. I will send a report to central leadership. I have to listen to him. I cannot take a one-sided decision. Central leaders will take a decision now,' Naik said. Gaude said that he replied to the questions raised at the meeting. The move to drop Gaude from his minister's post came after he made serious allegations of corruption in the Sawant-held tribal welfare department. Gaude made a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department last Sunday and raised questions about the department's administrative efficiency and transparency. Piqued by the poor turnout at a UTAA function, the art and culture launched a diatribe against govt.
India.com
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Goa BJP minister takes corruption swipe at CM Sawant's department, Opposition demands strong action
New Delhi: Goa's Art and Culture Minister, Govind Gaude, on Monday made serious allegations against his own government, accusing it of corruption. His remark came during a Prerna Din function organised by the tribal welfare department. Labelling serious charges, the minister alleged that the files of contractors are cleared in exchange for bribes, demanding a clarification from the Tribal Welfare Department, which is under Goa CM Pramod Sawant. '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 was heard saying in a video shared by Prudent Media. '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 added. According to the reports, Gaude also questioned the government over the construction of a tribal bhavan. He asked why the project was still pending when the foundation stone was laid during his tenure as the tribal minister. Opposition Launches Scathing Attack Against Government The opposition launched a scathing attack against the Sawant government and demanded governor P S Sreedharan Pillai to take note of the minister's comments and dismiss Pramod Sawant-led state govt. 'Gaude's allegations against the CM exposes BJP govt's corruption. The anti-corruption branch should probe these claims and take action against those guilty of bribery,' said opposition leader Yuri Alemao. 'It is time for the BJP to prioritise transparency and root out corruption. Hope BJP doesn't say it is 'their internal matter'. Party with differences is exposed by 'differences'?' GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said BJP has cultivated and encouraged corruption in every department. 'Cabinet minister Govind Gaude's statement that contractors need to pay bribes to get files cleared is not much of a revelation, but a sign of utter frustration with his own govt. Over the years, I've exposed innumerable scams, small and big, that have dragged Goa down the path of irreversible ruin,' Sardesai said.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Something is taken (from contractors)…': In Goa, BJP minister takes corruption swipe at CM's department
A day after Goa's Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude's veiled remarks about alleged corruption in the Department of Tribal Welfare, a portfolio held by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the latter on Monday said 'appropriate' action would be taken against Gaude. 'Responsible ministers should speak responsibly and avoid making irresponsible statements. I have taken cognizance (of his statements) and appropriate action shall be taken,' Sawant said after a media briefing on Monday evening. During a 'Prerna Din' event organised by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare in association with the United Tribal Association Alliance in Goa on Sunday, Gaude raised questions about the department's transparency and efficiency. 'A large amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the tribal welfare department. If it is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it shows a lack of control over the administration. In my opinion, the administration has weakened today. The files of contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan (a government block) building on the sly. Something is taken from them, and then they are asked to submit their files,' said Gaude in his speech. 'Construction of a tribal bhavan is a long-pending demand of the tribal community. They gave their land for the project… The foundation stone was laid when I was the Tribal Welfare Minister. The project has been stalled. Why is there no progress in the project?' Gaude asked. On Monday, opposition parties attacked the BJP government and demanded an inquiry into the allegations. Congress's Yuri Alemao, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, said that Gaude's allegations have exposed the state government's corruption. 'The Anti-Corruption Branch should probe these claims and take action against those guilty of bribery. It is time for the BJP to prioritise transparency and root out corruption,' he said. Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardesai said, 'The Goa government's corruption has become so institutionalised that even the government itself is lashing out. Gaude's statement that contractors need to pay bribes to get files cleared is not much of a revelation, but a sign of utter frustration with his own government.' In March, BJP leader and former Goa transport minister Pandurang Madkaikar had alleged the ministers in the ruling BJP government were 'busy in counting money'. He also claimed that he paid a bribe of Rs 15-20 lakh to the personal assistant of a minister to process his file. Madkaikar later withdrew the allegations.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa minister has exposed corruption, governor Pillai must dismiss govt: Opposition
Panaji: A day after art and culture minister Govind Gaude raised serious allegations of corruption in his govt, the opposition Monday demanded that governor P S Sreedharan Pillai must take note of the minister's comments and dismiss Pramod Sawant-led state govt. 'Gaude's allegations against the CM exposes BJP govt's corruption. The anti-corruption branch should probe these claims and take action against those guilty of bribery,' said opposition leader Yuri Alemao. 'It is time for the BJP to prioritise transparency and root out corruption. Hope BJP doesn't say it is 'their internal matter'. Party with differences is exposed by 'differences'?' While Congress and AAP demanded a probe into the allegations that are directly linked to a department led by the chief minister, GFP said that the allegations reveal the 'utter frustration' within BJP-led govt. 'The balloon has burst. Govt's own ministers are exposing the corruption. This govt has no moral right to continue. The governor should dismiss this govt,' said Congress' state president Amit Patkar. Patkar said he expects calls for an independent probe to be ignored as BJP would cover up the allegations to protect govt. GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said BJP has cultivated and encouraged corruption in every department. 'Cabinet minister Govind Gaude's statement that contractors need to pay bribes to get files cleared is not much of a revelation, but a sign of utter frustration with his own govt. Over the years, I've exposed innumerable scams, small and big, that have dragged Goa down the path of irreversible ruin,' Sardesai said. AAP MLA Cruz Silva said corruption has hit the tribal communities the hardest and that Gaude has exposed BJP's neglect towards the community. Silva has demanded action and an independent probe into Gaude's statement. 'If Govind Gaude, a minister from the Goa ministry, is casting doubts and aspersions of corruption, then instead of calling Gaude's statement irresponsible... Sawant must step down and conduct an inquiry on his own department and prove that the doubts and aspersions of corruption made by Gaude are false,' said NCP (SP) spokesperson and Goa desk in charge Clyde Crasto. 'First the Taleigao MLA said govt takes money. After him, former BJP minister Pandurang Madkaikar said he was asked to pay Rs 15 lakh to get work done. Now, a minister for sports and art and culture in this current govt has said that files are not being passed and that one needs to meet an official at the Shram Shakti is ridiculous,' said AAP's Francis Coelho. He said Gaude is not above reproach as he has 'eaten money and destroyed Kala Academy'.
News18
26-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Goa Minister Alleges Corruption In Tribal Welfare Department Under CM Pramod Sawant
Last Updated: Gaude alleged that a huge amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the tribal welfare department, and it shows a lack of control over the administration. Goa Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude took a swipe at the tribal welfare department and accused his own government of corruption. His remark came during a Prerna Din function organised by the tribal welfare department. He alleged that the files of contractors are cleared in exchange for bribes, demanding a clarification from the Tribal Welfare Department, which is under Goa CM Pramod Sawant, for clarification. '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 was heard saying in a video shared by Prudent Media. '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 added.
