GPCC Questions BJP Government Over Chikhal Kalo Expenditure, Demands Transparency

Goa Khabar: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has questioned the BJP-led Goa Government over the expenditure incurred on the annual Chikhal Kalo festival, alleging that a centuries-old religious tradition is being commercialised using public funds.

In a statement, Amarnath Panjikar, Chairman of the Media and Communication Department, GPCC, said that Chikhal Kalo is a sacred festival rooted in faith, devotion, and community participation, and should not be treated as an opportunity for profiteering.

Panjikar alleged that the BJP Government had converted the festival into a “cash cow”, claiming that around ₹1.80 crore was spent on the community-driven celebration in 2025. He said the people of Goa deserve complete transparency regarding the utilisation of taxpayers’ money.

The Congress leader questioned how much public money will be spent on Chikhal Kalo in 2026 and urged the Goa Tourism Department to publicly disclose the expenditure instead of remaining silent on the issue.

Calling for accountability, Panjikar appealed to the Government to respect the religious and cultural significance of Chikhal Kalo, stop exploiting Goa’s traditions, and account for every rupee of public money spent on the festival.