TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: As Goa gears up for the 44th International Film Festival in India (IFFI) later this month, the Mayor of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), Surendra Furtado Tuesday said, “IFFI is a curse for Panjim.”
Furtado came down strongly against the organisation of the annual International Film Festival of India in the capital city stating that Panjim does not benefit in any way from the film festival.
He said, “During the last 10 years of the festival held in Goa Panjim has not benefited in any way.”
He further said, “Neither are people of Panjim given any significant role by the ESG nor are any Panjimities getting any contracts,” adding further that people of Panjim have to face the filth and garbage that is generated from the festival for 10 days, in addition to acute traffic congestion and parking problems.
This year the CCP has signed an MoU with the ESG for an amount of Rs 31 lakh to clear the solid waste generated during the 10 day festival. Furtado explained that CCP has to engage personnel round the clock to keep the IFFI venues clean as also the rest of the city.
Furtado said that the organization of IFFI in Panjim benefits only the ESG, its members and the film fraternity.
“People of Panjim can only enjoy bhel puri on the promenade (sold by outsiders) and see their taxes spent on sweeping and cleaning of the city,” said the Mayor.
When contacted earlier, CCP Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues said, “This year we want to ensure that the quality of food stalls improves,” adding that the Corporation will put in place a fine- tuned solid waste collection drive during the 10 day IFFI.
The CCP had initiated a garbage management plan last year which resulted in the reduction of waste generated daily by vendors and eateries. However placing of food stalls on the promenade damaged many of the pavers that had irked people of the city.
Meanwhile, the CCP is starting a cleanliness drive from Miramar beach to Dona Paula to spruce up the area for IFFI and upcoming festivities.
