CAG flays Goa Tourism for profligacy, poor execution

Panaji: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has criticised Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for serious lapses, wasteful expenditure, and poor execution in projects sanctioned under the Centre’s flagship Swadesh Darshan Scheme.It found violations of guidelines, procurement of equipment before sites were ready, and failure to maintain assets, undermining the scheme’s goal of boosting tourist infrastructure.The Swadesh Darshan Scheme, launched in 2015 by the Union tourism ministry, allocated Rs 199.3 crore to Goa for developing two coastal circuits. GTDC received just under Rs 100 crore for nine projects in circuit-I — covering Sinquerim-Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort, and Aguada jail — and Rs 99.3 crore for 18 projects in circuit-II.The CAG’s audit of coastal circuit-I projects revealed that detailed project reports often ignored scheme guidelines and suffered from defective planning. According to the CAG report, which was tabled in the House, GTDC took up projects on private land without obtaining permission. In some cases, poor coordination with local panchayats forced changes mid-way, such as the relocation of the Aguada helipad.One of the most glaring findings was the expenditure for 10 toilet blocks that were to be built at a total cost of Rs 14.6 crore. However, just five were built after spending Rs 14.2 crore. The cost of each toilet block worked out to Rs 2.6 crore.GTDC spent Rs 3.9 crore on sound and light show equipment meant for Aguada jail, but since the renovations were incomplete, it shifted the equipment to Baga beach in 2018 and handed it to a private agency without a formal agreement. When the Aguada jail works were eventually taken up, GTDC once again bought similar equipment, spending Rs 3.3 crore more.The audit flagged ineffective operation and maintenance, with assets lying abandoned, deteriorating, or missing. In multiple instances, buses and other assets were procured before the sites were ready, leading to idle investments or diversion.