Social activist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues today demanded to conduct a probe by Vigilance department into the alleged multi-crore scam in the contract awarded for the comprehensive cleaning of beaches in Goa. Speaking to the media Aires said that the FIR will be filed against the senior officials from Goa tourism including the Minister of tourism Dilip Parulekar.
According to Aires Rodregues the amount contract awarded by the tourism department to the contractors is highly exorbitant compared the actual cost. “The annual cost of beach cleaning earlier used to around 1.80 crore while the department has alloted the contract for Rs. 14 crore for the same work” Mr. Rodregues told the media. He also mentioned that the contractors are burning the garbage right on the beach and lots of stuff has been buried in the sand which is not at all a good practice.
Countering to the allegation made by the social activist the department of tourism has issued a letter / press note clarifying their stand in this issue. In the letter Goa Tourism has termed these allegations as baseless highlighting the following facts:-
- The tendering process was followed for the award of contracts for beach cleaning. The contractors have been appointed on the basis of merit and fulfillment of eligibility criteria
- The Tourism Department follows a strict verification process to ensure compliance to the terms mentioned in the contract. Committees have been formed by the Tourism Department; these committees inspect the beach cleaning work on a fortnightly basis and subsequently prepare a report on the progress of the same
- The bills are passed for payment only if the contractors have fulfilled all the tasks as mentioned in the contract, this is indicated in the report. In case of any non-compliance, the amount is deducted accordingly from their payments
The Goa Tourism Department follows strict processes and ensures adherence to the same. Keeping Goa’s beaches clean, safe and secure is of priority for the Department.
