Goa Congress accuses BJP of misusing ministry resources

The opposition Congress in Goa has accused BJP's Information and Publicity Minister Milind Naik of misusing his department for political purposes and pressurising its officials to promote events organised by the ruling party.

The accusation comes after the department Sunday officially issued a press release about an eye check-up camp organised by BJP's unit in Murmugao, a South Goa constituency represented by Naik, in association with a trust headed by him.

"This is totally a breach of government policy. The information and publicity department is clearly acting like a public relation agency of the BJP. The BJP government is using tax payers money for political purpose," Congress organising secretary Durgadas Kamat told IANS.

Naik has refuted the charge.

The release issued Sunday afternoon said: "Minister for Information and Publicity Milind Naik is seen lighting the traditional lamp to mark the free 'eye check up camp' near Laxmi Narayan Temple, Headland, Sada..."

Two photos accompanying the press release show Naik lighting the lamp with a banner in the background which suggests that the function is organised by the Sagun Shivram Naik Memorial Trust along with the BJP's Mormugao Unit.

The Congress has demanded a probe to identify and penalise the official from the department who authorised the release of the press statement to the media.

When contacted for comment, Naik told IANS that the party had nothing to do with the function.

"It was not a function organised by the party. It was organised by my Trust," Milind Naik said.