MARGAO/PONDA: United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) has come out in defence of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude and said it was incorrect on the part of those who are trying to put selectively blame the Minister in connection with the collapse of the Kala Academy’s open-air auditorium roof.
While addressing media persons on Wednesday Evening, UTAA President Prakash Velip said they are all looking for the truth and that whoever is trying to accuse Gaude of wrongdoing, should wait till the investigation into the incident is completed.
Velip referred to the probe being conducted by PWD and other government agencies as well as past studies that were conducted by the likes of IIT Madras.
Going on to claim that Gaude is not connected to the recent incident, Velip added that the inquiry should also reveal to the public why there was leakage and water seepage at Kala Academy. Velip also hinted at a possible conspiracy at play to sabotage the voice of Gaude, who is a prominent tribal leader.
He further referred to various incidents across the State and country due to heavy rains including the collapse of a roof of the Zonal Agricultural Office in Ponda or the Water suction pump and filtration tank in Gajnem and how there were no calls for the resignation of the MLAs or Minister concerned then
Velip also called for a structural audit of all important structures across the State.
Meanwhile, Veling Priol Cuncoliem Panchayat too jumped in to defend Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude and hit out at politicians taking on the latter over the collapsed portion of Kala Academy auditoriom.
The panchayat body stated that the minister was targeted because he was from the Bahujan Community and wondered how he was responsible for the collapsed portion which is almost 45-years- old. The members wondered as to why there was stoic silence when the portions of the Agriculture building at Ponda, Margao Municipalty and Rajiv Kala Mandir collapsed.
