Congress Protests Against Goa CM’s Raj Bhavan Plan; Says Building Will Be Turned Into 5 Star Casino Resort

On July 24, the Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced the state government’s plans to construct a new Raj Bhavan, stating that the initial processes like identifying land and its design could be tendered before April next year. The Goa Congress has vehemently criticized the BJP-led government’s plan and questioned the need for a new Raj Bhavan when it was facing a cash crunch.

In a statement released to reporters, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief, Girish Chodankar, alleged that the BJP government was planning to rent out the Raj Bhavan building to a private firm to run a casino, spa, and resort.

“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has floated an idea of constructing a new Goa Raj Bhavan during COVID pandemic as the government seems to have in mind to convert Cabo Raj Niwas into a casino spa resort,” he said

“The chief minister had admitted during the one-day assembly session that the state’s finances are in 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,” Chodankar added.

The party said that while, on the one hand, the government has no money to pay monthly pensions beneficiaries of social welfare schemes, on the other hand, it goes ahead spending on projects like the construction of the former CM Manohar Parrikar’s memorial.

Besides the Goa Congress, even the Progressive Front of Goa (PFG) has opposed the government’s decision to shift Raj Bhavan to an alternate location and has launched the ‘Save Raj Bhavan’ campaign. The forum has appealed to the citizens, including historians, archaeologists, and others to join the campaign.

PFG leader Hrudaynath Shirodkar said they suspect a game plan of handing over Cabo Palace to a private party in the name of restoration. “At no cost, the existing Raj Bhavan, a renowned Portuguese era architectural marvel, would be allowed to shift. We cannot let the Goa government execute its super-ambitious, money-making plan of selling the Raj Bhavan to private parties in the name of its upkeep or repairs,” the leader said.

The PFG alleged that the government is attempting to ‘sell’ Raj Bhavan stating, “We have already lost Adil Shah Palace, which has been emptied and memories of pre and post-liberation era, being sold off to the scrap dealer. Now, there are attempts to put Raj Bhavan for sale. The Goa government has decided to construct new Raj Bhavan by claiming that the existing premises would be handed over to ASI.”

Joining the ‘naysayers’ was the Governor of Goa, Satya Pal Malik. On August 1, the Goa Raj Bhavan described the state government’s plan for a new complex as “irrational and imprudent,” especially when the state exchequer was under strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Governor believes that when the state is battling COVID-19 and reeling under financial crises, the idea to construct a new Raj Bhavan is irrational and imprudent. The Governor feels any new capital work would entail unnecessary financial burden on the state exchequer thereby exacerbating the economic distress of the state,” the Raj Bhavan said in a statement.

In his letter to the CM, the Governor clarified that his requirement for functioning was limited, and he didn’t require any new building. “A lot of negativities and controversies are being generated on the matter at various media platforms.”

The Governor further added that the project could be deferred until the state’s financial condition improved. “The project should be taken up only when the finances of the state improve and that too within the premises of the Raj Bhavan only,” the letter said.

The leader of the opposition, Digambar Kamat, has welcomed the Raj Bhavan’s decision to stall the project.

It is the responsibility of Government to set its priorities. Giving basic comforts to needy must top the agenda of every effective administration. Welcome decision of Hon’ble Governor of Goa to keep the new Raj Bhavan project on Hold. Economic Revival Plan is need of the hour.

— Digambar Kamat (@digambarkamat) August 1, 2020

CM Sawant and the Goa government is yet to respond to these protests.