Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai has slammed the BJP-led government for awarding a controversial single tender to an individual contractor in Margao Municipality, calling it a blatant violation of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines. Sardesai labeled the contractor as a “goonda and extortionist,” accusing him of harassment and exploitation of vendors through the use of bouncers.
“This individual was previously awarded a tender illegally by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) but was removed after it was discovered that he was siphoning off public money. Now, he has been rewarded again with another tender in Margao. This is a clear indication of the BJP’s resolve to loot small vendors,” Sardesai stated.
He further alleged that the contractor’s actions will directly impact fish prices in the market. “The more this goon indulges in dadagiri and collects hafta, the higher the price of fish will go. The BJP’s governance is making life unbearable for the common man,” he added.
Sardesai has appealed to social activists and the Chief Officer of Margao Municipality to intervene in the matter, warning that the tender will eventually be challenged in court.
Goa’s Governance in Shambles
Addressing the broader issues affecting Goa, Sardesai criticized Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for presiding over a dysfunctional assembly session. “The recent assembly session has set a record for its inefficiency, effectively reduced to just one day. Vital issues such as land grabs, cash-for-jobs scams, the decline in tourism, and whether mining benefits Goans were conveniently ignored. The government wants to paint a rosy picture, but the reality is starkly different,” he said.
Sardesai pointed out that Goa’s tourism sector has plummeted by 60% since 2019, turning the state into a subject of ridicule. “Every online influencer is questioning why Goa is going to the dogs, but the government refuses to acknowledge or discuss these issues. Our state is being destroyed under Sawant’s watch,” he asserted.
Vijai Sardesai urged the people of Goa to rise and demand accountability. “If mining is controlled by outsiders, tourism is in decline, and Goans are being forced to leave the state for jobs, where is Goa? What we have today is not Goa. If the government refuses to discuss these issues in the assembly, we will take this discussion to Azad Maidan,” he declared.
Sardesai ended with a clarion call to “Make Goa Goa Again,” emphasizing that the people must come together to reclaim the state’s identity and future
