MARGAO: The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has sparked outrage after granting permission to a film production company to shoot a movie inside the premises of the Old Hospicio Hospital in Margao. The move has resulted in chaos and anger among citizens, who have witnessed a total mess at the heritage site.
“Has anyone from the health department gone and checked what all is happening there, and how many people are within the premises, and misusing the same?” questioned Savio Coutinho of the Shadow Council for Margao (SCM), adding, “Worst of all is that mass is held every Sunday in the chapel there, but the priest and congregation are not given access from the front gate, which remains locked. Church-goers are forced to use the rear entry to attend Sunday mass. While today, we find several trucks/vehicles being allowed to enter from the front entrance- causing traffic congestion as they enter.”
Citizens of Margao and the Church had previously requested the government for custody of a portion of the old Hospicio Hospital to run a charitable clinic. Following this, the DHS had issued a warning notice of stern action against those found interfering with the Old Hospicio Hospital building, stating that the public should stop interfering with the hospital premises since such acts will be construed as unauthorized interference with the government property and will attract criminal action against such persons. The allocation of the same premises to the film shooting, and that too without supervision, has left citizens angry and disappointed.
Dr Rajendra Borkar, Medical Superintendent of Hospicio, informed that the concerned film production unit has taken all the permission from the appropriate authorities and has paid all the necessary fees. He stated, “Premises have been allotted as per the rules for utilizing it legally.” The situation inside the premises of the old Hospicio building is alarming, with three pandals for food preparation erected in front of the centuries-old Chapel. Massive film shooting equipment can be seen all over the premises, and even inside the building once used for treatment of the patients. The crew members informed that the premises of the old Hospicio building have been allocated for the shooting of a Telugu film for five days, starting May 5.
The double standards adopted towards the old Hospicio Hospital premises in Margao have been strongly criticized by the Shadow Council for Margao (SCM), citizens, and heritage lovers.
