Modi's veto ended Goa MLAs' Brazil FIFA junket

LAXMI IYER/MID-DAY, MUMBAI | 14 June 2014 18:31 IST

A last-minute veto by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday afternoon has cancelled the FIFA World Cup 'study tour' to Brazil by a team of six Goa MLAs led by state sports minister Ramesh Tawadkar.

Under attack over their proposed government-funded trip to Brazil to watch the football World Cup, six Goa legislators on Friday decided to pick up the tab for the visit themselves although opposition Congress said it would only believe them if an official notification confirmed their decision.

"The media created a hype after news came out that we are going at the cost of the state exchequer. All six of us decided that we will pay from our own pockets and visit Brazil," said Goa minister Avertano Furtado, a former goalkeeper of Salgaocar Football Club had said earlier in the day. 

However, when even these arguments failed to convince the opposition or change public perception, the prime minister stepped in and told Parrikar that the trip must be completely called off. 



Experts believe that Modi took the call so that the controversy would not overshadow his trip to Goa on Saturday - his first trip to the state after getting elected as PM. 

The BJP leadership in Delhi was surprised with the PM's decision.

"Till Friday afternoon, we were instructed to say that the party does not have a view that is different from Parrikar's," said a party spokesperson. 

Sources feel that Parrikar, who is highly regarded as a CM, could have handled the Brazil junket in a better manner.

India is hosting the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and Goa has a bid to organise some of the matches.

"If the Goa leaders had to go and see how the tournament was organised, they should have left earlier," said a BJP leader.

Original Report


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Previous Comments

Goans Must Demand To Pass Swaraj Act. Goans Must Know What MPs & MLAs Are Doing With That Funds. Goan Must Decide How To Use These MPs & MLAs Funds.

- Jose Rod, Goa | 15 th June 2014 13:26

 

Goan MLA`s will have to fund the "Brazillian Junket" from their own pockets???!!!...... That should not be difficult.

It is expected that all Parrikar`s MLA`s will have tripled or quadrupled or quintupled their incomes during his & their reign.

The CM will turn a blind to their financial demeanours so as to keep his seat.



The Tourism Minister, Dilip Parulekar has already started increasing his income from shady back- street deals.

I am sure many other MLA`s are cooking-up their Account .

Goan MLA`s are not well known, for their honesty or integrity. Their sole purpose of being a Politician is because it is the easiest method of making "tons of money" for themselves & their future generations, through corrupt deeds.

The MLA`s who intend to travel to Brazil at their own expense, are unlikely to cough-up £15 thousand or Rs 15 lakhs each for their Brazillian soiree. £4-5 thousand or Rs 4-5 Lakhs may be more likely.

The Finals of the FIFA World cup are on the 13th July 2014. Is Mr Parrikar going to cancel the Goa Legislature Sittings scheduled in June-July?

While it is speculated that Brazil are likely to win the FIFA World Cup, it is expected that Mr Parrikar`s MLA`s will be winning, in the monetary & financial stakes, by the end of their terms.

What is Rs 15 Lakhs for each MLA, when it is expected many will be making in the least,Rs 15 Crores?

- N.Fernandes, London | 14 th June 2014 20:36

 

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