Oppn questions tendering of event agency for Goa carnival

The Opposition benches today questioned the state government for inviting tenders to appoint an event management agency for the recently held carnival celebrations despite there being agencies already empanelled by the tourism department.
Independent MLA Vijay Sardesai and Congress member Aleixo Lourenco Reginaldo raised the issue on the floor of the House today saying global tenders were invited even though world class agencies are listed by the state tourism department.
"What is the use of having global tendering to host Carnival when there are world class agencies? It is sheer wastage of money," Sardessai said.
Lourenco alleged that the entire exercise of tendering was to favour - Vinsan Graphics, a Goa-based agency, which finally won the bid at the cost of Rs 3.48 crore.

According to the reply tabled on the floor of the House, the agency was given a contract to host the Carnival float parade and food festival, which was held at a ground on the outskirts of Panaji.
Defending the decision of global tendering, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said it is the right of the state government to chose the empanelled agencies or go for global tendering.

"This was an open tendering process," Parrikar said adding that all the guidelines were followed.
The reply tabled on the floor of the House reveals that Rs 10 lakh was spent on the King Momo float parade held on February 9 in Panaji, while Rs 68 lakh were spent on the food festival.

Also, Rs six lakh was spent on firework show, which went on for 20 minutes.