E-Paper
Money swindled during infrastructure upgrade:Parrikar
The Congress government in Goa has been "swindling" money during infrastructure upgradation to hold International Film Festival of India (IFFI), former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today alleged.
The Congress government in Goa has been "swindling" money during infrastructure upgradation to hold International Film Festival of India (IFFI), former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today alleged.
"Though the film festival dates were declared much in advance and basic infrastructure was in place, government waited for last minute to take up the work to allow them to swindle money," Parrikar, who is also the leader of opposition in the state Assembly, told reporters here.
The former Chief Minister, who was at the helm of affairs during last IFFI, alleged no procedures were followed while tendering the works like tarring of roads and works were alloted at the last minute.
"Infrastructure was in place and government had just to carry out certain maintenance work. Despite getting too much time to execute procedures, the government waited for last minute to tender the works," he claimed.
Parrikar alleged that IFFI preparations were surrounded by corrupt practices and IFFI coordination committee set up to "please" Congressmen was an attempt to ensure them to have share in the pie.
Parrikar claimed that till date he was not invited for the IFFI inauguration function and he would not be able to attend it due to his personal engagements elsewhere on that day.
"Don't think that I am boycotting inauguration. I will be present for the conclusion if I am given proper invitation," he said.
