PANJIM: The Federation of Film Fraternity of Goa (FFFG) has alleged a multi-crore scam in the organisation of the recently concluded International Film Festival in India (IFFI).
“The collapse of the ‘Welcome Arc’ at Dabolim, just after five days of commencement of 47th International Film Festival of India-2016, is like natural justice given to the Federation of Film Fraternity of Goa that has opposed gross irregularities and scams in Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) pertaining to expenditure for organising the mega film event,” says a statement issued by FFFG President Dyaneshwar Govekar.
The FFFG chief has demanded that ESG Vice Chairman Rajendra Talak tender his resignation taking moral responsibility for the irregularities and mismanagement of IFFI 2016. “The incident has substantiated claims made by FFFG about the scam in allotment of tender for decoration work worth Rs 6.5 crore. It is unfortunate that the agency engaged by ESG did substandard work and at some places the work remained incomplete till the mega film festival concluded,” he stated.
He alleged there is a scam of almost Rs 25 crore in expenditure of IFFI 2016 by ESG.
“FFFG demands that ESG come clean on last minute cancellation of dinner organised on November 26, for which invitation cards were sent to many, incomplete and un-painted IFFI logo at Colva Circle in Margao, cancellation of public film screenings at Mapusa, Sanquelim and Mandrem, non receipt of invitation cards of opening and closing ceremonies by many film fraternity members,” Govekar said.
“We also seek details of guests invited by ESG during the film festival and what criteria were followed in inviting these guests. The total failure and mismanagement of ESG resulted in poor response to this year’s film festival,” Govekar said.
FFFG also demanded that Chief Minister and ESG Chairman Laxmikant Parsekar intervene and monitor the payments and expenditure of IFFI.
FFFG also alleged that there are attempts being made to bring back Manoj Srivastava as Chief Executive Officer of ESG. FFFG warned the government that any attempt to bring back Srivastava will be opposed by the film fraternity of Goa.
Meanwhile FFFG members have decided to contribute an amount of Rs 1 lakh to the family of Goan film maker late Sanjeev Prabhudessai.
