MARGAO: The Khell tiatrist who performed at the carnival programme organised by the Margao Municipal Council in February have complained to the civic body and are upset that they have not been paid their dues.
The Khell tiartrist are still sore over the 2010 incident with the previous council body where they were not paid after being contracted to perform during the carnival festivities and fear that with the current council’s term ending, they may face the same fate in 2015.
Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Arthur D’Silva who was urged by the tiatrist to pay their dues from the municipal funds stated that he had spoken to the Tourism department to sanction the funds so that the Khell tiatrist get relief and are paid immediately.
It is to be noted that it will be nearly five months since carnival and Khell tiatr were held in all 20 parts as part of the MMC’s decision to keep the ‘intruz’ traditional alive.
Sources have stated that the MMC has defaulted in clearing their payments of nearly Rs 2 lakh.
There were around 12 directors who were given the contract to stage Khell tiatr in the municipal wards and as per the agreement they were promised to be paid within three months. It appears that it may cross six months and they still won’t get paid even as D’Silva claims he has spoken to the Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar’ directly and apprised him about their grievances.
Tiatrist have warned of protesting in case of any further delay.
