CM to lead delegation to centre for full control of IFFI

Panaji, Aug 21 (UNI) The Entertainment Society of Goa(ESG) will lead a delegation to the Centre soon to plead its case for taking full control of the conduct of the International Film Festival of India from next year.

Replying to a debate on budget demands for Information and Publicity, IT and Mines departments late tonight, chief minister Digambar Kamat told the state legislative assembly that the ESG would take over different branches of the IFFI in phases with the consent of the Directorate of Film Festivals in due course.

It might be recalled that the Chief Minister is the chairman of the governing body of the ESG which is the nodal agency of the government to conduct the IFFI for which Goa has been declared the permanent venue since the year 2004.

While asserting that the delinquent miners would be punished suitably, the Chief Minister told the House that he had decided to extend the 60-day period for receiving public suggestions on the draft mining policy till September end.

He also said the government would try to restore the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula Plateau by removing peoples'apprehensions that it was benefitting the real estate sector.

The project, the foundation for which was laid by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi last year, had been stalled by the agitated public led by the then Taleigao legislator Atanasio(Babiush) Monserrate, now Education Minister since August 5.

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