Team Herald
PANJIM: Progressive Front of Goa (PFG) has opposed the government’s decision to shift Raj Bhavan to an alternate location as it has launched Save Raj Bhavan campaign.
The forum has appealed to the citizens including historians, archeologists and others to join the campaign.
PFG leader Hrudaynath Shirodkar said they suspect a game plan of handing over Cabo Palace to a private party in the name of restoration.
“At no cost, the existing Raj Bhavan, which is a renowned Portuguese era architectural marvel, would be allowed to shift. We cannot let the Goa government execute its super-ambitious, money making plan of selling the Raj Bhavan to private parties in the name of its upkeep or repairs,” the leader, joined by his colleague Mahesh Mhambrey said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had last month announced new premises for Raj Bhavan and suggested carrying out the procedures like identifying of land, its design, work of which could be tendered before April 2021. The decision came following a review of the ongoing maintenance work of the Governor’s palace and its restoration.
The PFG alleged that government is attempting to ‘sell’ Raj Bhavan stating, “We have already lost Adil Shah Palace, which has been emptied and memories of pre and post liberation era, being sold off to the scrap dealer. Now, there are attempts to put Raj Bhavan for sale. The Goa government has decided to construct new Raj Bhavan by claiming that the existing premises would be handed over to ASI.
