IFFI will give an ecnomic boost to Goa, claims CM BY HERALD REPORTER (http://www.oheraldteam.com)
PANJIM, NOV 15 -- Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar said that the International Film Festival (IFFI) will bring an economic spin in the State and that the benefits would go to the local people. Presiding over the second meeting of the Core Committee of IFFI in the Conference Hall of Secretariat in the city today, Mr Parrikar said the government has initiated all the schemes and projects of IFFI in a way that promotes Goan interest. He asked the authorities to enlist the works which could be handled by the people particularly young entrepreneurs of the State, according to an official press release. Mr Parrikar said that he is of the firm opinion that the Goan people should benefit of the exercise of the magnitude of IFFI and project Goa as a proper destination with hospitable, dynamic and forward looking people coupled with vibrant economic conditions where one can do business and leisure hand-in-hand. He claimed that all the infrastructure facilities for hosting the festival are as per schedule. These would include the construction of multiplexes at the premises of Old GMC, extending financial assistance to improve the existing theatres in the city and also to augment the civic amenities to match up with international standards in Panjim. The Chief Minister announced that along with creation of facilities for IFFI at Panjim, Old Goa will be developed further to cater to the needs of the pilgrims visiting the decennial exposition of Holy Relics of St Francis Xavier. He said since everyday it is expected that one lakh devotees will visit Goa, all the basic facilities needed will be provided as part of the IFFI. The chief minister also said that the government has already undertaken work of renovating the heritage houses in and around Panjim inorder to give a good look to the city. He clarified that he has no intentions whatsoever to transform the capital of Goa as a Portuguese town as alleged by some persons. The traditional character and heritage houses have to be preserved at all cost, he stressed. �Let them be Portuguese, Christians, Gothic, Indian or Hindu architecture��, he remarked. He also announced that this scheme will be introduced in other towns and important villages. The second Core Committee - Goa IFFI meeting reviewed the progress achieved by the Infrastructure Development Committee with regards to integrated development of venue of the Film Festival in creating requisite infrastructure like multiplex, auditoriums, upgradation of Kala Academy Complex and the heritage buildings and other aspects related to the IFFI took major decisions to provide opportunities to develop Goa as an ideal State and involve Goans in building up the requisite infrastructure. The Members of the Core Committee that attended the meeting were Power Minister, Digambar Kamat, Health Minister, Dr Suresh Amonkar, Industries Minister, Ramrao Dessai, Town and Country Planning Minister, Atanasio Monserrate, Transport Minister, Pandurang Madkaikar, Revenue Minister Vinay Tendulkar, Pratapsingh Rane, MLA and Leader of the Opposition, MLAs Aleixo Sequeira and Harish Zantye, Mr D S Negi, Chief Secretary, Mr P Krishnamurthy, Secretary General Administration, Mrs Jayshree Raghuraman, Secretary, Information Publicity and Films and Rajiv Sen, Managing Director, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation. During the course of discussions Parrikar making his observations said that the mega event would give the State a fillip. An amount of Rs 20 lakh would be earmarked for repairs, painting of heritage buildings in the government and private sectors from the outside taking into confidence the owners maintaining their original designs every year. Further on the issue of creating permanent assets in the State for the IFFI, the Chief Minister said preference would be given to the local technocrats and the people at large. Elaborating on the execution of prestigious projects he said expertise would be taken into consideration and government would not compromise on quality. He called upon the local people to come forward and channelise their energies in this exercise. Mr Parrikar further added that 110 applications from reputed consultants are received and the expert committee constituted would shortlist the agencies. Several of the applications are from international agencies who are having a tie up with local technocrats, he added. The meeting also discussed the construction of convention centre. The Chief Minister felt Verna was an ideal site for the prestigious project of 5,000 seating capacity and land is also available there. Discussing on the matter of developing Goa as a whole Mr Parrikar said at the prime stage the onus is on the development of the requisite infrastructure for the IFFI and Panjim City and its outskirts and that gradually the developments would be extended to other major towns like Margao, Mapusa, Vasco and others. The meeting also discussed the draft presented by the MLA, Mathany Saldanha in his absence on putting to maximum use the multiplex after holding of the IFFI event every year. The Committee felt all legal socio cultural activities be organised at the complex throughout the year and the project to be constructed by the government be given on lease to highest bidder. Mr Charles Correa, renown architect who designed the Kala Academy complex was contacted for further services towards its expansion programme. The planning for access from Kala Academy to existing Pergola through children�s park was also discussed. Members discussed upgradation of existing theatres, a scheme will be chalked out for providing subsidy to all theatre owners for purpose of upgradation and improvement, a 10 percent relief in entertainment tax has also been provided. The matter for maintaining control over video piracy was also discussed at length Power Minister, Digamber Kamat felt the urgent need to redress the production of garbage disposal and suggested that the proposed sites identified in North and South Goa be acquired for setting up disposal plants on priority basis. Mr Rane suggested that heritage houses be given a face lift even in villages for tourist attraction and scheme be worked up to permit owners to rent premises to the visitors. Mr Aleixo Sequeira, suggested development programmes should also be taken up in villages on lines with the programme proposed in major towns. Mr Zantye pleaded with the government to look into interests of theatre owners as they were witnessing huge loss. Ms Jayshree Raghuraman, Secretary, Information & Publicity & Films welcomed the members and also conducted the meeting. Mr Rajib Sen, MD GSIDC reviewed the programmes taken up by GSIDC, the press note added. ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
