Goa should stop hosting IFFI, says Congress MLA

Panaji, Mar 24: Goa's former Law Minister Dayanand Narvekar today demanded that Goa stop hosting the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and instead pump the money to promote local films.

"The Government is providing Rs 9.5 crore for the film festival. Let's stop it and support the local film industry," Narvekar, a Congress legislator, said in the Assembly.

He was speaking during a motion in the House congratulating Pramod Salgaoncar and Jyoti Cuncolienkar for producing Marathi movie Mare Paryant Fashi.

The legislator said Goa has immense potential and film personalities like '3 Idiots' fame Omi Vaidya original hail from the state.

"Let us invite them here and produce a film on par with '3 Idiots', he said adding personalities like N Chandra and Sudesh Bhosle trace their roots to Goa.

Speaking on the motion, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat refrained from commenting about the IFFI issue raised by his party colleague.

"The State Government's film finance scheme is receiving good response from the filmmakers," he said.

Kamat said his Government will continue supporting this scheme which helps the upcoming young artists.

PTI