MARGAO: The budget of the Tourism Department for the Heritage Festival has fallen short. This news comes just a day before the festival. The NGO “We for Fatorda” has stepped in and has backed up for the deficit fund.
This is the first time the Heritage Festival is happening in Goa. This festival was planned to be held in Arambol earlier and now has been decided to be held at Fatorda after the demand of Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai with the chief minister.
However, the organisation fell short of nearly Rs 20 lakh. Vijai said that ‘We for Fatorda’ has come forward to meet the deficit. “First Heritage Festival is happening in Goa and in Fatorda. Fatorda has real heritage areas. Goans should celebrate this festival as we have to celebrate our architectural heritage. It is not any four-day event, it is to usher in Heritage tourism in Goa,” Vijai said.
“In Rajasthan, during the Vasundhara Raje government transformation of Haveli (palaces) into Hotel properties was done. I want to bring in that concept in Goa, but I am not the lone man to do it, not my department, it requires revenue, tax-free, needs some incentive. If we need to bring in that Heritage tourism this festival is one step,” Vijai said.
“Our heritage area will be revived and upgraded by opening a 5 to 6 crores tender of GSIDC. First time in the history of Goa, the government is spending on Comunidade and private lands and the Government in such times is expected to spend handsomely. However, due to code, there is control,” Vijai said.
