Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, film festivals and award ceremonies across the globe were pushed ahead. However, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will take place as per its schedule. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that the festival will be held between November 20 and 28. However, opposing the decision of hosting IFFI amid the pandemic, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Digambar Kamat asked Sawant to cancel the festival this year.
In his tweet, Kamat wrote, "CM @DrPramodPSawant has accepted that Financil Condition of the State is bad. The Covid Pandemic is not the time for hosting Festivals & Celebrations. With no Financial support from @MIB_India & @DFF_India, Goa ends up spending 20-25 crores every year on the mega event. @INCGoa"
CM @DrPramodPSawant has accepted that Financil Condition of the State is bad. The Covid Pandemic is not the time for hosting Festivals & Celebrations. With no Financial support from @MIB_India & @DFF_India, Goa ends up spending 20-25 crores every year on the mega event. @INCGoa
— Digambar Kamat (@digambarkamat) August 13, 2020
He further tweeted, "Role of @GovtofGoa is now reduced to Travel & Hospitality agent of @IFFIGoa. I demand @goacm must reconsider its decision on hosting of #IFFI2020. Release White Paper with expenditure incurred on IFFI & benefits received by local Film Fraternity & Tourism Sector from the Festival"
Role of @GovtofGoa is now reduced to Travel & Hospitality agent of @IFFIGoa. I demand @goacm must reconsider its decision on hosting of #IFFI2020. Release White Paper with expenditure incurred on IFFI & benefits received by local Film Fraternity & Tourism Sector from the Festival
— Digambar Kamat (@digambarkamat) August 13, 2020
Last year, celebrities like Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu and others graced the festival organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals in association with Goa State Government’s Entertainment Society of Goa.
(Source: PTI)
