TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: Stung by a public rebuke by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, organisers of the Sunburn festival denied that they had levelled any bribery charges against the elected representatives or the government, but claimed that they had had been overcharged for the event last year.
Seeking to clarify their position after Parrikar’s outburst at Candolim, Harvinder Singh, one of the organizers of Sunburn, told reporters that they had never levelled any allegations of bribery against the elected representatives or the government.
“But we had said that we were overcharged for the event. We paid Rs 1.25 crore as entertainment tax, besides other fees (Rs 1 crore), VAT (Rs 35 lakh), excise (Rs 13.5 lakh) and Rs 25 lakh to Goa Police for security,” said Singh. “We still maintain that we were overcharged for the event, but we were misquoted on the context of bribery charges against the government and we have no intentions of playing with the government,” clarified Singh.
Responding to allegations of mismanagement of the event last year, Singh said they had taken all precautions and had fulfilled the norms set by the government to stage the event.
“We had installed 170 cameras, while medical and security aid was available within 20 seconds at the venue with the help of 300 people employed for the event. We have been improving and growing year after year and have been fulfilling every condition laid down by the government.”
“We have been cleaning the area on daily basis during the shows and after the event, but we cannot be held responsible for other mess at our courtyard like the fliers. We want to be the best in the business and have been moving ahead with experience and we want the event to take place in Goa and very much in Candolim as it is our home,” added Singh.
“We have been improving on parking lots and traffic regulation to the venue, but we cannot keep a tab on chain smokers at the venue and police are the authority to keep a check on the offenders,” he said.
“We have thoroughly complied with the terms and conditions laid down by the government, but we cannot keep everyone happy as at the end of the event, everyone makes business.”
“Last year though we had a crowd of 15,000 people and we did not make much profit out of the event, but if the government gives us the signal to go ahead with the event early we will be able to attract about 25,000 people,” added Singh.
“We have a 3-year contract with the owners of the venue at Candolim. Availability of rooms and hotels in North Goa also suits the venue as we cannot force music lovers to travel from South Goa after getting exhausted at the venue,” he said.
