Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Goa Kala Rakhonn Mandd today has demanded a white paper on Kala Academy and an inquiry by a retired High Court judge.
The group today also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during which he assured to form a committee of experts, with a report due by Friday.
While the CM assured them that reports from GSIDC and IIT would be reviewed and a committee would be formed with representatives from Kala Rakhonn Mandd, GSIDC, and PWD, the group insisted on the inclusion of non-government members, citing a lack of trust.
CM also assured that the Kala Academy will not be opened until the report of the Kala Akademi repair inquiry committee and all necessary improvements are completed.
Shockingly, Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude was absent from the meeting.
They also demanded that any necessary repairs be carried out at no additional cost to the government, with contractors covering the expenses, which CM agreed to.
Meanwhile, the Mandd has demanded a white paper on the entire restoration process, highlighting the specific timelines, contractors and expenditures involved.
It has also demanded the formation of a committee of artists along with members of Kala Rakhonn Mandd and the Charles Correa Foundation to review the ongoing works as was assured in the assembly.
“We demand that you take concrete action on these issues within the next fortnight failing this, we will have no choice but to mobilise the artiste community across Goa for a statewide agitation to ensure justice is served and the cultural sanctity of Kala Academy Complex is restored,” the memorandum said.
