FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: With lack of funds hindering the repair and maintenance of the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa; the Goa government will seek the intervention of the Centre to protect the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar proposed to discuss the issue with the Centre after the lockdown.
“I will propose to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to convene a joint meeting with the Union Ministry bringing to the fore all the concerns around the site. The Basilica is not just a church but a protected religious site. I will request that the budgetary provision be increased, so that the works are carried out without any hindrance,” he added.
Kavlekar, who is also the State Archaeology and Archives Minister, inspected the ongoing repair works at the site along with the Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes, and ASI Goa Circle Superintending Archaeologist, K Amarnath Ramakrishna, on Tuesday.
He also pointed out to limited powers with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been restricting the pace of work. He has further asked the ASI and the Basilica to submit to him concerns around the Church and the work, which would be forwarded to the Centre for intervention.
“There should be no shortage of funds to carry out the works of this Church. I will also propose to allow the use of money through contributions for repair/maintenance of the site,” he added.
Following allegations of neglecting the repairs of the structure, the ASI had defended that the ongoing nationwide lockdown had halted the repair and maintenance work and that following the relaxation granted by the State government, it had undertaken repair of roof top by engaging a local contractor.
Fr Fernandes, had complained to the State and Federal officials that the ASI had neglected the maintenance of the Basilica. On Tuesday, he agreed that the work has now been expedited.
