Opposition ridicules Goa MLAs FIFA World Cup 'junket'

Congress leader Rashid Alvi has criticized the Goa Government's decision to send six MLAs on a "junket" to Brazil to attend the FIFA World Cup. "It is very shocking, as it was only yesterday, when Narendra Modi was talking about poor people in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and promised to provide them with urinals, cemented houses, and water and electricity. But today, his own party's MLAs are spending 89 lakhs to visit Brazil", said Alvi. Alvi's comments came after Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar reportedly approved a Rs.89 lakh junket for six of his MLAs, including three ministers, to attend the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The ministers who are reportedly going to attend the FIFA World Cup in Brazil are Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, Velim MLA Benjamin Silva, Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado, and Power Minister Milind Naik.

lvi also stated that these are not the 'ache din' that the party had talked about, as these could only be 'achhe din' for the MLAs. "It is very unfortunate that the tax payers' money is being wasted on such trips," he added. While the MLAs have reportedly been given permission to attend the Fifa World Cup, no sports ministry official will be accompanying them to Brazil.