PANAJI, OCTOBER 28: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday alleged large-scale financial irregularities and huge Corruption in the BJP-led Goa Government’s Janjati Gaurav Week celebrations, questioning how ₹7,67,63,886 was spent on a single day, November 15, 2025, for a Mahasammelan at the SGPDA Ground in Margao, two rallies and two live interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a press conference at Congress House, GPCC Media and Publicity Department Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, accompanied by Scheduled Tribe leader Satyawan Gaonkar and Sanguem Youth Congress President Yogesh Gaonkar, presented documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. He alleged that the expenditure involved inflated and questionable bills, serious concerns over procurement procedures and the need for an independent investigation.
Panjikar further alleged that Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar had misled the public by claiming that the prescribed tendering process was followed. An official letter obtained under RTI, he said, showed that the minister had recommended Sean Adevent for organising the celebrations, raising questions about the selection of the agency and the transparency of the contract-awarding process.
₹7.67 CRORE IN ONE DAY: CONGRESS QUESTIONS EXPENDITURE
According to the expenditure details presented by Panjikar, the government spent ₹7,67,63,886 on November 15, 2025, alone and Rs 8,72,98,398 was spent on the various Programmes organised from 31st oct to 14th November 2025. The programme on 15th November 2025 included the Mahasammelan at SGPDA Ground, a rally from Fatorda to the venue, another rally at Amonem-Khotigao, and two live interactions with the Prime Minister at VP Bhatti and Amonem-Khotigao.
Panjikar questioned the justification for such enormous expenditure on a single day, particularly when tribal communities continue to demand better educational facilities, employment opportunities, basic infrastructure and implementation of their constitutional and statutory rights.
“The government must explain how a single day’s programme could cost over ₹7.67 crore. These are public funds, not the private money of BJP leaders. Every bill, every contract and every payment must stand the test of transparency and accountability,” Panjikar said.
*TRANSPORT ALONE COSTS ₹2.17 CRORE; ₹76 LAKH FOR T-SHIRTS AND SAREES*
The expenditure details raise questions about several major heads, including:
* Transportation: ₹2,17,79,000
* T-shirts and sarees: ₹76 lakh
* Statues of Bhagwan Birsa Munda: ₹50 lakh
* Newspaper advertisements: ₹65,79,936
* Branding: ₹32,97,500
* Rally from Fatorda to SGPDA Ground: ₹36,12,000
* Live interactions at VP Bhatti and Amonem-Khotigao: ₹34,36,000
* Venue decoration: ₹19 lakh
* Red carpet: ₹20,00,800
* Barricading: ₹11,78,900
* Flags and sticks: ₹10.50 lakh
* Cultural programme: ₹8 lakh
* Rally at Amonem-Khotigao: ₹28,06,000
Other reported expenditure includes ₹23.25 lakh for refreshments, ₹7 lakh for a German hanger, ₹5.84 lakh for sound arrangements, ₹5.30 lakh for LED screens, ₹3 lakh for a canopy, ₹2.80 lakh for chairs, ₹3.20 lakh for the stage, ₹2.50 lakh for lighting generators, ₹2.50 lakh for photography and videography, ₹2 lakh for sofas, ₹2 lakh for permissions, ₹2 lakh for security, ₹2 lakh for fire extinguishers, ₹2.90 lakh for portable toilets, ₹2.50 lakh for green rooms, ₹2.50 lakh for lighting, ₹2.50 lakh for stage decoration, ₹1.50 lakh for reels, ₹1 lakh for the compere, ₹80,000 for the Shigmo parade and ₹60,000 for the welcome dance, Fire extinguisher 200000,House keeping 250000 and other inflated bills on Chairs, mementos, bouquets, lamp, stand, flowers, coordinators , water etc.
“These figures demand answers. How was transportation worth over ₹2.17 crore calculated and verified? What justified ₹76 lakh for T-shirts and sarees, ₹50 lakh for statues and ₹20 lakh for a red carpet? Who assessed the quantities, approved the rates and verified the actual delivery of goods and services?” Panjikar asked.
He alleged that the figures warranted a detailed forensic examination of the bills and supporting records to determine whether the amounts were justified or involved inflated charges. He demanded that the government disclose the complete bills, work orders, quotations, tender documents, comparative statements, payment records and verification reports.
*RTI LETTER RAISES QUESTIONS OVER MINISTER’S ROLE*
Panjikar said the RTI documents also raised serious questions about the role of Minister Ramesh Tawadkar in recommending Sean Adevent for the event.
“The minister claims that the tender process was followed. But the letter obtained under RTI shows that he personally recommended a particular agency. The government must explain whether a genuinely competitive process took place, how many agencies participated and why this agency was recommended,” he said.
He challenged Tawadkar to make the tender notice, bid evaluation records, comparative statements, work orders and payment details public.
Panjikar clarified that the recommendation itself required scrutiny and that the complete documentary record must establish whether procurement rules were followed and whether any agency received undue financial advantage.
*₹16 CRORE FOR CELEBRATIONS WHILE TRIBAL WELFARE REMAINS A CONCERN*
Panjikar recalled the controversy over the approximately ₹4.40-crore expenditure reportedly incurred for Prerana Din celebrations on May 25, 2026. *He also questioned the proposed expenditure of approximately ₹8 crore on the November 2026 Janjati Gaurav Diwas celebrations.*
“The pattern of expenditure is alarming. More than ₹16 crore was reportedly spent on the November 2025 celebrations, around ₹4.40 crore on Prerana Din, and another ₹8 crore is proposed for the forthcoming programme. The government must explain why such vast sums are being channelled into events while the genuine needs of tribal communities remain pressing,” Panjikar said.
He emphasised that Congress was not opposed to commemorating Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the legendary tribal freedom fighter, but strongly opposed any alleged misuse of public funds in his name.
“Bhagwan Birsa Munda fought exploitation and injustice. His legacy stands for dignity, rights and empowerment. Honouring him cannot mean spending crores on ceremonies while tribal families await meaningful development. Every rupee earmarked for tribal welfare must serve the people,” he asserted.
*CONGRESS DEMANDS RESIGNATIONS AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION*
Holding Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Minister Ramesh Tawadkar politically accountable, Panjikar demanded their resignations over the alleged irregularities and the failure to provide satisfactory explanations regarding public expenditure.
He announced that Congress would approach the Goa Lokayukta and the Vigilance Department, submitting the RTI documents and other available evidence and seeking a comprehensive investigation into:
1. The recommendation of Sean Adevent and the circumstances surrounding the award of the contract.
2. Compliance with tendering procedures and government procurement rules.
3. The ₹7,67,63,886 expenditure incurred on November 15, 2025, and the wider expenditure on Janjati Gaurav Week.
4. The reasonableness of rates charged for transportation, clothing, statues, advertising, decoration, rallies and other arrangements.
5. The authenticity and verification of bills, actual delivery of services and release of payments.
6. The responsibility of ministers, departmental officials and contractors in approving and executing the expenditure.
7. Whether any financial irregularity, undue benefit or loss to the state exchequer occurred.
“If the government has nothing to hide, it should welcome an independent investigation. We will place the available documents before the appropriate authorities and demand that every transaction be examined. If wrongdoing is established, those responsible must face legal action and any proven loss to the public exchequer must be recovered,” Panjikar said.
*PANJIKAR CHALLENGES CM SAWANT TO OPEN DEBATE*
Panjikar challenged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to participate in an open public debate on the expenditure and make the complete records available to the people of Goa.
“The Chief Minister has publicly claimed that he has never taken even a single rupee of public money. Then let him come forward with the complete records of this expenditure and explain the tender process, the minister’s recommendation, the bills and the payments. Personal declarations of honesty cannot replace transparency in public administration,” he said.
*TRIBAL RIGHTS MUST TAKE PRIORITY OVER EXPENSIVE EVENTS*
Panjikar said the government should prioritise political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly, settlement of Forest Rights Act claims, filling of reserved government vacancies, educational support, employment and basic infrastructure in tribal areas.
“Tribal youth need jobs, students need educational opportunities and families need essential facilities. Communities are waiting for their rightful constitutional and statutory benefits. The government cannot claim tribal empowerment merely by organising expensive celebrations,” he said.
Scheduled Tribe leader Satyawan Gaonkar and Sanguem Youth Congress President Yogesh Gaonkar joined Panjikar in demanding transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Panjikar reiterated that Congress would pursue the matter through the Lokayukta, the Vigilance Department and other appropriate institutional channels until the allegations were thoroughly examined.
“The government owes an explanation to every Goan, especially the Scheduled Tribe community. The minister’s recommendation, the expenditure of ₹7.67 crore in a single day and the larger spending on these celebrations demand answers. Congress will pursue the matter until accountability is established. Public money must serve the people, not be squandered through questionable contracts and inflated bills,” Panjikar concluded.
