PANJIM: Alleging that the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has lost its glory over the years, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday demanded that the State government release a white paper on the festival clarifying the benefits the State has received over last 12 years since IFFI came to Goa.
Addressing media persons, NCP vice president Trajano D’Mello said IFFI, brought by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar in 2004 with tall promises of boosting the film culture in Goa and promoting tourism, has failed miserably and that the festival has become a grazing ground for BJP party cadres.
“The recent statement by Union Secretary for I&B that the number of foreign delegates have reduced for last few edition of IFFI, exposes the fact that this festival has lost its glory,” he said.
Calling for the white paper, the NCP leaders alleged a scam of almost Rs 50 crore in the last three editions of IFFI.
“The State government has lost control over the festival and now its role is reduced to mere travel and hospitality partner for the festival, even after spending almost Rs 10 to 12 crore. Goans are getting no benefit and even local artistes are sidelined,” D’Mello said.
