Team Herald
PANJIM: A delegation of Kala Rakhonn Mandd submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) at Porvorim demanding white paper on the restoration process of Kala Academy.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the memorandum, Kala Rakhonn Mandd Executive Member Dilip Prabhudesai said," The Chief Minister assured the State Assembly that he would form a committee of genuine artists to review ongoing work of the Kala Academy. He also accepted that what happened with Kala Academy is wrong and said that he would set things right. But even after one month, nothing has been done and we have given the Chief Minister time till September 20 to accept our demands."
"He should atleast give us an appointment so that we can place our demands before himand discuss the issue. If this is the attitude of the government on Kala Academy then only God can help Goa. The government is only interested in corruption and does not care about artistes," he said.
Meanwhile, the Mandd has demanded for a white paper on the entire restoration process, highlighting the specific timelines, contractors and expenditures involved.
It has also demanded formation of a committee of artistes along with members of Kala Rakhonn Mandd and the Charles Correa Foundation to review the ongoing works as it was assured in the assembly.
"We demand that you take concrete action on these issues within the next fortnight failing this, we will have no choice but to mobilise the artiste community across Goa for a statewide agitation to ensure justice is served and the cultural sanctity of Kala Academy Complex is restored," the memorandum said.
The Mandd has also objected to the appointment of a new advisor for lights which it said was nothing but giving free hand to the same 'corrupt' contractors and sub-contractors rather than blacklisting them.