Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday reiterated that his six MLAs including two Ministers had gone ahead with their Brazil trip at their own expense and not at the cost of public exchequer.
Responding to a question on the issue at his press briefing in Panaji on Wednesday, Mr. Parrikar said that as the money was spent towards air ticket and accommodation booking on behalf of government much earlier, he will ensure that the ticket money is reimbursed by the MLAs and Ministers once they return from their tour.
After their proposed Brazil junket in the name of a “study tour” attracted huge public outcry over spending Rs.89 lakh of the taxpayers' money, the State government had cancelled the tour and the MLAs, except Minister for Sports Ramesh Tawadkar, had announced that they will go ahead with the tour on their own.
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Sources in government-owned Sports Authority of Goa confirmed that they paid Rs.89 lakh towards the air tickets and accommodation through a real time gross settlement (RTGS) transfer.