A vigilance probe needs to be conducted into the functioning of the International Centre Goa (ICG) at Dona Paula. There is lack of transparency and accountability in the managing of the centre. It is appalling that a Public Information Officer has yet not been appointed though eight long years have passed since the enactment of the Right to Information Act.
The ICG being substantially funded by the central and state governments is a ‘public authority’ in terms of the Right to Information Act. It is an irony that though the Director of ICG Mrs. Nandini Sahai is also the President of Goa RTI forum she has herself failed to comply with the mandate of the RTI Act at the ICG. That she is heading the Goa RTI forum which is an unregistered body is another issue. One also fails to understand as to why the Goa RTI forum is not registered. Every paisa spent on programmes organized or sponsored by ICG needs to be judiciously spent. The ICG cannot be used as a vehicle to entertain or promote the interests of friends and family. Though the ICG is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 it is not functioning in accordance with law. Surprisingly the General body of the ICG is composed of only the Trustees of the Centre which include 10 life trustees while disregarding the other over 2000 members. The 10 life trustees who will continue till the age of 80 includes amongst others Advocate General of Goa Atmaram Nadkarni. It is shocking that the legal luminary Atmaram Nadkarni has allowed such a blatant anomaly to go on. The General body of any registered society should comprise of all its members. It cannot be a conclave of the privileged trustees. As a Life member of ICG I feel that every member should have a say in the working and functioning of the Centre. Over to you, Mrs. Nandini Sahai. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
