To organise four-day Samba Square, accuses State government of step-motherly treatment
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The war between the Corporation of the City of Panaji and the government spilled into the Carnival festivities, with the first citizen of Panjim and ruling corporators deciding to boycott the official Carnival celebrations, which are being propped up by an event management company.
Instead they decided to organize a four-day Samba Square at Panjim municipal garden with the first carnival parade in Panjim starting March 1.
Speaking to media persons, CCP mayor Surendra Furtado said that he along with 15 ruling councilors will boycott the Panjim Carnival parade to protest against State government’s step-motherly treatment meted out to CCP.
The Mayor criticized the CCP being sanctioned only Rs 20 lakh for Carnival instead of the demand of Rs one crore.
“We will not attend the carnival parade. Instead CCP has organized Samba Square at municipal garden that will be held from March 1 to 4,” Furtado said in the presence of corporators. The Mayor said that CCP has not granted any permission to tourism department to display hoardings.
Permissions are granted only to Panjim Carnival committee for displaying artifacts.
“If we find hoardings or advertisements of any private company, the same would be removed,” he warned.
Furtado said that Corporation had planned several programmes during the four day Carnival, including participation of Brazilian troupe. “Government meted step motherly treatment to us…what can we do in Rs 20 lakh. Participation of Brazilian troupe has been called off,” he said.
The councilors had in the past boycotted the International Film Festival inaugural and closing held in November last year.
We will not attend the carnival parade. Instead CCP will organize Samba Square at municipal garden that will be held from March 1 to 4, Furtado said in the presence of corporators
