The Hindu : Karnataka News : Parrikar questioned about civil works for IFFI 2004

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

Parrikar questioned about civil works for IFFI 2004

By Our Staff Correspondent

PANAJI, JULY 19. The Goa Assembly on Monday witnessed noisy scenes as the Opposition questioned the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, over the alleged irregularities in civil works relating to the forthcoming International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Mr. Parrikar strongly defended his case by stating that "everything is being done as per law."

The Congress members Victoria Fernandes, Harish Zantye, Angelo Fernandes, Luizinho Faleiro, Jitendra Deshprabhu and and Ravi Naik had sought details on IFFI-related projects as well as the condition of the cinema theatres in the State.

When asked about whether the Government had considered the cinema viewers in Panaji while deciding on the four-screen multiplex, Mr. Parrikar replied that the multiplex was being constructed for the IFFI. He also said that the present consultant for the multiplex, Inox, was selected as it was the lowest bidder among the three short-listed concerns. The estimated cost of the project was Rs. 20.99 crore, which included construction, consultation fee, and bonus.

Mr. Parrikar said that the Government was providing interest-free loans ranging from Rs. 80 lakh to Rs. 3 crore, repayable in seven years, for the renovation of the theatres in the State depending upon their location. He said that they were also providing a five-year entertainment-tax holiday and industrial status to cinema as far as power and water supply were concerned.

The Opposition members wanted to know whether the Union Government had committed itself to holding IFFI 2004 in Goa. Mr. Parrikar said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had clearly said that IFFI 2004 would be held in Goa.

International airport

Jitendra Deshprabhu, Pernem MLA, questioned the Government's decision in appointing the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as the consultant for the proposed international airport at Mopa in north Goa.

Mr. Parrikar said that ICAO, the apex body on international airports, was an organ of the United Nations. He also said that no "certificate" was needed for choosing ICAO as the consultant.

He said that an area of around 50 lakh square metres was being acquired for the project and the Ministry of Civil Aviation had issued a no-objection certificate to the Government to enter into a management services agreement with the ICAO. He said that the Government and the ICAO were in the process of selecting a bidder to conduct the techno-economic feasibility study of the project.

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