Goa Tourism Development Corporation cancels contract following objections by Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh
Canacona, Goa – The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had awarded the contract for the beautification and renovation work of the Shri Mallikarjun Temple located in Ave, Cotigao, Canacona, to a Muslim man named Allabaksh Mulla on 3 July. The ‘Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh’ and several devotees had raised objections to the temple work being assigned to a non-Hindu contractor. Taking immediate note of this objection, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation cancelled the tender on 6 July.
Following this development, the Shri Mallikarjun Temple Committee, Cotigao, Canacona, held a press conference in Canacona on 7 July, demanding that Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant intervene in the matter and ensure that a new tender for the temple’s beautification and renovation is issued without delay.
Welcome step by Goa Govt !
Goa Government Cancels Temple Renovation Contract Awarded to Muslim Contractor Allahbaksh Mulla.@TourismGoa @HinduJagrutiOrg pic.twitter.com/INDfMCd5et
— 🚩 Ramesh Shinde 🇮🇳 (@Ramesh_hjs) July 7, 2026
Speaking at the press conference, Shri. Sahil Desai, President of the Shri Mallikarjun Temple, said, “Some people had objected to the contract for the temple’s beautification and renovation being given to a non-Hindu individual. However, the contractor for this work, Allabaksh Mulla, was merely the licence holder and had subcontracted this work to a Hindu man named Jagdish Bhat. Jagdish Bhat carries out beautification and renovation work for temples. Now that the Goa Tourism Development Corporation has cancelled the contract, the government should promptly begin the beautification and renovation of the temple and its premises, considering their present condition, and issue a fresh tender for the work. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant should personally look into this matter.”
Shri. Jayesh Thali, Secretary of the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh, praised the government for promptly taking note of the objections and cancelling the tender awarded to a non-Hindu contractor.
