PORVORIM: The government on Thursday claimed that organisers of Sunburn Klassique have paid the State pending dues of Rs 2.25 crore as the matter is closely monitored by the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
In its written reply to unstarred question, Minister for Tourism Manohar Ajgaonkar said, “As per the order of High Court of Bombay at Goa dated December 20, 2019, in Writ Petition No. 72/2019 Sunburn Klassique was directed to deposit an amount of Rs 2,25,00,000 which includes security deposit for the second edition of the event which was held on December 27-29, 2019 and towards the outstanding dues payable. The permission was granted by the State Government only on depositing the aforesaid amount.”
Ahead of holding the festival in December 2019, Sunburn Klassique organisers received a setback when the High Court barred the government from allowing the event until Rs 2.25 crore is deposited by the former towards security deposit and back payments. Out of the total amount, the court directed the organisers to pay Rs 1.5 crore to the Tourism Ministry and Rs 75 lakh towards the prima facile outstanding amount of Rs 1.38 crore towards commercial taxes and payment towards police bandobast security duty.
