Senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) filed a request this Friday (22) demanding that the Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, provide detailed explanations about the expenses related to the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty Culture Festival, nicknamed “Janjapalooza.”
The event, held between November 14th and 16th in Rio de Janeiro, received a total sponsorship of R$33.5 million from state-owned companies such as Itaipu Binacional, Petrobras, Banco do Brasil, BNDES and Caixa Econômica Federal.
According to the senator, there is a lack of transparency regarding the exact amounts invested by some of these companies, which, in her view, goes against the constitutional principles of advertising and administrative morality. Damares also raised concerns that the festival may have been used for personal and political advancement, violating the principles of impersonality and morality.
“The use of resources to hold festivities while millions of Brazilians face hunger and poverty raises doubts about the government’s real intentions regarding the purpose of the promoted festival”, explains Damares Alves.
Among the points that Damares wants clarification on are:
- The existence of expenses for food and drinks for artists’ dressing rooms;
- Justifications for the selection of attractions and the expected social and economic impact;
- Detailed documentation of signed contracts and the carrying out of possible bidding processes;
- Expense control measures adopted during the festival.
The minister will have a period of 30 days, from receipt of the request, to respond to the questions. Otherwise, you may incur a criminal liability.
The festival generated debates with criticism about the high amounts invested in a context of economic difficulties faced by the country. The opposition promises to continue monitoring the case and demanding answers from the government.
Last week, the Federal Audit Court (TCU) accepted the request for an investigation presented by federal deputies Sanderson (PL-RS) and Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO) to verify the legality of public spending on “Janjapalooza”.
Upon accepting the request, the TCU establishes a procedure to analyze the expenses in detail. Subsequently, depending on the outcome of the case, the court may apply administrative sanctions and recovery actions to public coffers.
