Goa minister says six MLAs using own funds for FIFA trip, Congress seeks clarification

Goa's Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado said on Friday that the six ministers and members of legislative assembly (MLAs) heading to Brazil to watch the FIFA World Cup later this month, would individually foot the expenses for the trip, and not use money from the state exchequer.

The Times Now television channel quoted Furtado, as saying that the Goa Government would not be spending the estimated Rs.89 lakh for the proposed trip of six MLAs, including three ministers.

Earlier, it was revealed that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had given the all clear to sports minister Ramesh Tawadkar, fisheries minister Avertano Furtado, power minister Milind Naik, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, Velim MLA Benjamin Silva and Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo to witness the FIFA World Cup 2014.

The opposition Congress Party, however, questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) about turn on the controversial issue, and asked the state government and Chief Minister Parrikar to clarify the issue on the floor of the state assembly, and furnish exact details of the finances being alloted for the trip.

Surprisingly, no government official, or football expert, is a part of the state delegation that is scheduled to go to Brazil, even though both of Goa's Arjuna awardees - Brahmanand Shankhwalkar and Bruno Coutinho-had made their desire to visit Brazil for the event well known to the state government.

The delegation is expected to watch the first and second quarter-final clash at the historic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 4 and Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza on July 5, besides sampling the thrill that the semi-finals will provide on July 8 and July 9 at Estadio Mineirao (Belo Horizonte) and Arena Corinthians (Sao Paulo) respectively.