Goa to have mini convention centre

Panaji, Feb 16 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamattoday said a mini-convention centre is being planned herewhich will make up for the required infrastructure for IFFI.

Kamat told reporters that the Planning Commission wouldbe approached seeking funds to set up this convention centre,which will come up next to existing Entertainment Society ofGoa (ESG) building here.

"This convention centre would be a smaller one witharound 2,000 sitting capacity. The bigger centre can come upelsewhere," Kamat said recalling that in past the PlanningCommission, had agreed to fund the convention centre for Goa.

Spread over 3,800 square metre, the centre will have twolayer parking facility. Kamat said that Union Information andBroadcasting Secretary Raghu Menon during his Goa visit onTuesday went through the proposed project.

The Chief Minister said that I&B ministry officials havealready started preparing for IFFI 2011 which is scheduled inNovember-December.

He said that there is a suggestion that the inauguralceremony of IFFI should be shifted from Panaji to Margao citywhere there the spacious state-government owned RavindraBhavan'' auditorium is located.

Kamat said the sitting capacity of this auditorium ismore and hence it could be a preferred facility to hold grandinaugural for the festival.