Team Herald
PANJIM: RTI activist Sudip Tamankar has alleged that the State government is out to sell Goa by leasing out the historic Fort Aguada to a private agency for a period of 32 years.
Tamankar alleged that the State government has awarded the lower part of Fort Aguada (Central Jail) to a private agency M/s Drishti lifesaving Private Limited as licensee for the management, operation and maintenance of at an annual fee. He said that it was surprising that the GTDC has further allowed the private agency to pay the fee amount in three instalments and without any rate of interest, which was highly objectionable.
He alleged that the Fort Aguada has now been converted into a bar and restaurant and demanded that the government should stop such incidents at the historic sites. He said that the PWD handed over the fort to the GTDC, who has been taking decisions claiming autonomous corporation.
Tamankar demanded to know whether the entire fort premises are under the control of GTDc or the private agency and whether the GTDC has overall supervision. He demanded that the Fort Aguada is a monument for freedom struggle and it should be preserved as musuem.
