TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: The International Film Festival of India has cost Goa a whopping Rs 80 crore, over its seven editions organised in Goa, against revenue of just Rs 10 crore, heavily draining the already limping state exchequer.

The figures given by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr S Jagathrakshakan, in a written reply to a question of MP Shantaram Naik, State Government spent approximately Rs 80 crore as against the revenue of Rs 10 crore received by it during the said seven festivals, costing the state dearly.

Giving details, the Minister said that in 2004 revenue earned was Rs 22.27, while expenditure was Rs 541.59 lakh. In 2005, it was Rs 27.25 lakh against Rs 910.82 lakh expenditure. In 2006, the revenue was Rs 252.44 lakh as against Rs 1348.74 expenditure. In 2007, the revenue and expenditure was Rs 95.12 lakh and Rs 932.74 respectively. In 2008, it was Rs 107.97 lakh and Rs 1199.89 respectively, while in 2009, Rs 73.85 lakh was the revenue earned as against Rs 639.65 lakh spent. In 2010, Rs 111.19 lakh and Rs 968.11 lakh were the revenue and expenditure respectively and in 2011, till 24th November 2011, revenue was Rs 3.00 lakh against the expenditure of Rs 287.81 lakh.

Further, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting spent around Rs 14 crore under its Plan Scheme for the seven festivals, according to the figures given by the minister and forwarded by MP Shantaram Naik via email.

TOURISM: Union Minister of State for Tourism, Sultan Ahmed informed Shantaram Naik that during 11th Five Year Plan, Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a total of Rs 77 crore for Goa under various schemes.

Clarifying further Minister said that in 2008-09, for Integrated Development of Infrastructure for Heritage Tourism in Goa as a Mega Project, a sum of Rs 43 crore has been sanctioned.

In 2009-10, for Central Institute of Hotel Management, Goa, Rs 12 crore and in 2010-11 for Tourism Infrastructure Development for Colva Coastal Circuit, South Goa Rs 7.58 crore, were sanctioned, the minister said.

In 2009-10 for Destination Development of Auditorium and Convention Centre in Bal Bhavan Complex, Campal, Panjim Rs 5 crore and in 2010-11 for development of Goa Haat at Panjim, Rs 5 crore were sanctioned.

Minister further stated that in 2011-12 for Baga Beach Tourism Destination Development in Goa, Ministry has sanctioned Rs 4.98, and previously, in 2010-11 for International Trade Mart at Goa Rs 20 lakh and Celebration of Shigmo Festival during 2007-08, Rs 5 lakh were sanctioned.