PANJIM: Nuvem MLA Francisco Mickky Pacheco has decided not to hold his EDM event expressing disgust over the manner in which the government has handled the entire EDM festival issue this year and alleged that the BJP government had done yet another U-turn by considering three EDMs within a radius of 9 kilometers when it initially proposed only one EDM in North Goa.
“Being a Goan I should have been given preference,” he said, adding that Percept and Viacom 18 have been battling in court even after permissions were granted for the EDMs. Pacheco also said that he has also received threats that his EDM festival would be under the Goa State Pollution Control Board radar for sound pollution.
“As per the law, the sound levels during the day can go up to 55dB and 45dB after 10 pm. Recently I was threatened over phone. They said they would complain to the Pollution Control Board (PCB) and make sure my event is stopped. If I have to adhere to the law, others have to as well. I will write to the PCB to keep a check on it,” he said, adding, “How is it possible to have a music festival by reducing decibels below 45 db, I might as well not have the EDM festival.”
“I have lost interest in organizing the EDM festival at Baga and am not even considering an event in South Goa,” said the Nuvem MLA charging that the government is fleecing people who want to promote tourism and added that the fees being charged were also unreasonable.
“For the same amount spent on various fees I would have held a spectacular show abroad,” he said adding that the cash-crunched government has no love for tourism and is killing it like it killed mining.
Given that he supports the BJP government, Pacheco probably expected that political leverage would ensure that only he would get the licence for the year end festivities in what’s turning out to be an extremely competitive entertainment business. But the government decided to allow all three contenders to hold their shows, and all of them within a radius of 9 km.
“I don’t have faith in this government. I have the license but I don’t want to have the show now,” he said.
