IFFI to cost lesser this year to exchequer: Kamat

Panaji, Nov 14 (UNI) The prestigious 38th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), beginning on November 23, would cost the state exchequer less than last year's Rs 6 crore.

Interacting with media at the office of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) after reviewing the progress of preparations for the Festival, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat claimed that the Government was trying to make it ''totally self-reliant event'', in due course the event will be held without spending a single paise from the exchequer.

He also debunked the purported claim of his West Bengal counterpart for holding the event in Kolkata, saying how can Buddhadev Bhattacharya know whether the festivals had been held successfully or not without witnessing them in Goa.

He said he would not mind inviting Bhattacharya to Goa for witnessing the event this year. Ask any participant, who were here before, to make their comments of appreciation, he added.

Mr Kamat also claimed that the event would be held smoothly despite the agitation planned by the anti-SEZ activists during the Festival days.

He said wiser sense would prevail over the activists who were assured that the government was examining the SEZ issue threadbare in the interests of the Goans and Goa.

UNI