State govt raises spending on Shigmo, Carnival this year

Porvorim: Govt spending on two of Goa’s biggest cultural celebrations, Shigmotsav and the Goa Carnival, increased modestly in 2026 compared with 2025.

The state allocated Rs 3.59 crore for Shigmo celebrations across 19 locations in 2026, up nearly 7.8% from Rs 3.33 crore spent in 2025 for the same number of venues.

The increase was mainly due to higher infrastructure allocations. In Panaji, spending rose from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 26 lakh. Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda each saw allocations increase from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 16 lakh. Other centres like Quepem, Bicholim, Valpoi, Canacona, Curchorem, Cuncolim, Sanguem, Pernem, Sanquelim, Dharbandora, Shiroda, Calangute, Porvorim and Mandrem, recorded an increase from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 11 lakh each.

Prize money for Shigmo participants remained unchanged at Rs 10.57 lakh for major centres and Rs 4.50 lakh for other locations. Overall infrastructure spending rose from Rs 2.25 crore in 2025 to Rs 2.44 crore in 2026, while prize money remained Rs 1.15 crore

Spending on the Goa Carnival also increased. Govt spent Rs 1.53 crore in 2026 to organise festivities at six locations, Porvorim, Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Morjim, compared with Rs 1.41 crore in 2025. Prize floats rose to Rs 8.35 lakh in cities and to Rs 6.55 lakh Morjim.