Margao: The shocking revelation of the Margao Sarvajanik Shree Ganeshotsav Mandal’s 75 lakh Pandal Scandal, allegedly funded through MLALAD–PWD funds, has exposed a serious misuse of public money. The scandal surfaced soon after Ganesh Chaturthi 2025, yet the defector Margao MLA-turned-PWD Minister Digambar Kamat has chosen to maintain silence. On the occasion of Maagh Ganesh Jayanti, accountability and transparency were demanded by Madganvcho Awaaz & Youth Leader Prabhav Naik, who questioned why Madganvkars are being kept in the dark on such a grave issue.
Prabhav Naik stated that Digambar Kamat must come clean immediately and clarify whether he stands for public accountability or political cover-ups. “This is not a minor lapse but a serious scandal involving 75 lakhs of public funds. Silence from a sitting Minister only strengthens suspicion. The people of Margao deserve clear answers, not evasion,” Naik asserted.
Prabhav Naik further revealed that after the scandal came to light last year following Ganesh Chaturthi, Madganvcho Awaaz independently verified the claims by checking with several Ganeshotsav Mandals in Margao. “Almost all Mandals clearly confirmed that expenditure on Ganesh pandals is borne entirely by them and that they have not received any financial assistance from the government for pandals in the last three years,” he said.
He added that some Mandals even produced their audited statements, which are published in their annual souvenirs and are available in the public domain. “These audited accounts expose the hollowness of any justification for routing MLALAD–PWD funds for a Ganesh pandal. When Mandals themselves function transparently, who authorised the use of public money and for whose benefit?” Prabhav Naik questioned.
Madganvcho Awaaz has already filed a formal complaint before the South Goa District Collector seeking a thorough investigation into the 75 lakh Ganesh Pandal scandal, including the complete money trail. “Despite the seriousness of the complaint, no response or action has been communicated to us so far. This administrative silence is deeply disturbing and raises serious doubts about an attempt to shield those involved,” Naik said.
In light of this continued inaction, Madganvcho Awaaz has now filed an RTI application seeking information on the steps taken by the South Goa District Collector on the said complaint. “We will not allow this issue to be buried. Digambar Kamat must answer the people of Margao. Public money, public faith and Ganeshotsav cannot be misused to protect political interests and financial wrongdoing,” Prabhav Naik warned.
