File FIR against Ministers and officials
Panaji: Congress on Monday alleged that the approach of the ‘Over Smart’ Minister is responsible for the collapse of Kala Academy’s open auditorium and demanded to book concerned officials and the Minister for negligence.
GPCC Vice President Tulio D’Souza, who is an architect, on Monday addressed a press conference and said that every Goan is pained by the incident, where decades old Kala Academy is in bad shape because of government failures.
General Secretary Adv. Srinivas Khalap and Viriato Fernades were present on the occasion.
Tulio D’Souza said that it was designed by legendary Charles Correa. “The way Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude did the work of Kala Academy, it has given pain to every Goan. The estimation of renovation of Kala Academy has reached to 56 crore, public fund has been used for it. Then how can they infringe on the tender process,” Tulio D’Souza questioned.
He said that the BJP government rejected the suggestions of Charles Correa Foundation for the best reasons they know. “Today we are witnessing the destruction of Kala Academy as the minister has become over smart,” he said.
Tulio D’Souza said that the Congress government had constructed the Kala Academy to give planks for artists of the state. “Everyone has an emotional attachment to it. But today a portion of Kala Academy collapsed. Who is responsible for it,” he questioned.
“Why the renovation of Kala Academy was done in a non-transparent manner? Why was the tender process not done before awarding work,” he questioned.
“Goa Engineering College had done a structural audit of Kala Academy. Where is this report? We want to know,” he said.
He said that the government rejected the suggestions of Charles Correa Foundation. “Today we are witnessing the destruction of Kala Academy as the minister has become over smart,” he said.
He demanded that the contractor along with the Art and Culture Minister and also PWD officials should be booked for negligence of the work done.
Khalap questioned how the structure collapsed if even it was not touched while doing renovation. “Government should tell the public how it collapsed,” he said.
Viriato Fernandes also said that corruption is involved in this project and hence judicial inquiry should be conducted.