Ravindra Bhavan Margao, once envisioned as the cultural hub of South Goa, today stands exposed to scandalous mismanagement. The very Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan Rajendra Talak has publicly admitted today that repair works were permitted to begin without the mandatory expenditure sanctions and work orders, stated Vishal Pai Cacode, Artist and Former Member of Goa State Cultural Development Committee.
This brazen disregard for procedure reeks of irresponsibility, dictatorial behaviour, and sheer arrogance. A cultural institution that was meant to nurture art and artists has instead been reduced to a playground of reckless decisions, he stated, adding that rules are not optional but safeguards to ensure transparency and protect public money.
By allowing works to proceed without financial or administrative clearance, the Chairman has not only violated standard governance norms but also undermined the checks and balances meant to prevent misuse of public funds. Such a serious lapse cannot be brushed aside under any pretext of urgency or convenience, Vishal Pai Cacode cautioned.
Cultural spaces like Ravindra Bhavan are not the personal fiefdoms of political appointees. They belong to the people of Goa and are built on taxpayers’ money. High-handed actions of this nature only damage public faith in governance of cultural institutions, Vishal Pai Cacode warned.
This shocking admission of Chairman Rajendra Talak must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. Authorities, including the Department of Art & Culture, must initiate immediate scrutiny, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that no public institution functions outside the framework of financial discipline and rule of law, stressed Vishal Pai Cacode.
Goa’s rich cultural fabric, he reiterated, deserves stewardship rooted in integrity and accountability, not reckless disregard for rules. Ravindra Bhavan Margao must be rescued from dictatorial mismanagement and restored to its rightful role as a beacon for artists and audiences, Vishal Pai Cacode demanded.