Goa Government Under Pressure Over Raj Bhavan Building Plans

The Goa Congress criticised the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government last Friday over plans to construct a new Raj Bhavan building in the state. The chief minister (pictured left) recently committed to the project and said work identifying a suitable land plot would start soon.

It was alleged in a statement by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Girish Chodankar (pictured right) that the complex would be rented out when completed to a private company that wants to run a casino and spa resort.

Chodankar added: "The chief minister had admitted during the one-day assembly session that the state's finances are in a bad shape. Despite that, the government announced projects like construction of new Raj Bhavan building and renovation of the Assembly complex, which need crores of rupees."

Goa BJP chief Sadanand Tanavade deflected the allegations by simply replying that, "Chodankar should first know the facts before making irresponsible statements."

Just last week it was revealed that the City of Panaji was reviewing licence proposals from several offshore casinos to keep operating on the Mandovi river - the symbol of much dispute between successive governments and the casino industry in Goa.

The state of the government’s coffers - badly hit by the coronavirus shortfall - was cited as one of the primary reasons why the proposals look likely to get the go-ahead.