PANJIM: There was a huge uproar among artistes and the general public about the Rs 54 crore so-called ‘renovation’ of the Kala Academy. The once iconic place of art and culture has been soiled forever. The open air auditorium still lies in a dilapidated state with a collapsed roof. The Task Force is frustrated, since the changes they suggested have not been implemented. Herald Media asked people “Is government not serious about implementing report of the task force of Kala Academy?”
The pace at which the government conducts events, it does not appear that the government is conducting suggested improvements in the Kala Academy at the same pace. As Task Force Vijay Kendre said the works should have been carried out as fast as possible since events have already started taking place there. But the manner in which the lights, the sound system and the acoustics should have been fixed, this has not happened. The government has not told the Task Force what is their mandate. I have found that the Bose sound system which has been installed has been billed for Rs 4 crores, however the actual cost is Rs 2 crores. So if this is the case we Opposition and Artistes have to put RTI and bring out all these facts.
Rajdeep Naik, Actor & Producer
There are a lot of findings which we have currently, which are very alarming. And to get conclusive evidence on this we need more experts on board and we want to involve more people. The Directorate of Art and Culture is moving at a very slow pace. Due to this we want to meet the CM. We have had three meetings, we want the CM to know what we have discussed. We are hoping that he will guide us and show us how to move ahead and expedite the work. We have sought an appointment from the CM due to this and we are likely to get it within 10 days.
Francis Coelho Task Force Member, Kala Academy
I don’t know what issues Minister Govind Gawade has for taking suggestions from the people. You have ruined the entire Kala Academy. Kala Academy was a matter of pride for us. The Task Force is giving suggestions, but has the government ever listened to the people? Is the government willing to listen to the Task Force? The government wants to do whatever it wants. If there is some Cabinet Minister who does ‘bad’ and you complain to the chief minister, he does not listen. That is the reason why the present state of the Kala Academy. The way Govind Gawade has ruined Kala Academy, Govind Gawade is solely responsible for this. Anyone who has doubts that the Minister is unfairly targeted can easily go to the Kala Academy and see for themselves.
Tanoj Adwalpalkar Social Activist