Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Congress has demanded to know the status probe of the Kala Academy renovation scam and also about when it will be reopened.
Congress leader Amarnath Panjikar said that almost two years have passed since the renovation of Kala Academy, and there is no sign of reopening. “Kala Academy is the biggest institution for the artists of Goa and other states. But the work which started to renovate it has not been completed. Otherwise, it would have opened,” he said.
He said that the many events had to shift to other places in Goa due to the ongoing work of Kala Academy. “If we take the example of Kala Academy, it becomes evident that the BJP government is not serious about art and culture,” Panjikar said.
Recalling the statement of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude that Shah Jahan had never invited quotations to build the Taj Mahal- which is Intact for last 390 years as it was earlier, Panjikar has asked the government to complete the probe of the alleged scam.
“Though Govind Gaude justified the decision to nominate a contractor for the work of restoration without tendering it, now it’s the duty of BJP government to probe in this scam of Rs 49 crore,” he said.
He demanded a probe into the restoration of Kala Academy, which was designed by legendary Charles Correa.
“Government had appointed three members committee to investigate the scam of Kala Academy renovation, but nothing has come out of it. Government is using dilly-dallying tactics to safeguard those involved in this scam,” he charged.
He said that the government is bound to inform about the investigation to the public, as this project is done on taxpayers’ money. “We want to know about the investigation of this scam and the names of those involved in it,” Panjikar said.
