‘White Paper & Judicial Probe Under Retired High Court Judge On Kala Academy A Must’

Panaji :

It was a horrifying experience at Kala Academy during my inspection with the Officials of the Public Works Department, Art & Culture Department and Artists as well as Experts in Sound, Lights and Architecture. I am preparing a detailed report and will submit it to the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod sawant demanding time-bound action on it, stated Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.

My demand for White Paper and Judicial Inquiry on the Repair, Renovation and Refurbishment work of Kala Academy still stands and I will raise the issue in the upcoming Assembly Session. No one should be spared for this criminal act of destroying Kala Academy, stated Yuri Alemao.

Addressing a Press Conference along with internationally acclaimed Sound Engineer Roger Drego, Event Organiser Francis Coelho and Artists Cecille Rodrigues at Porvorim, the Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao slammed the PWD and Art & Culture Department for destroying a precious Heritage Monument of Goa.

It is for the first time that the Artists as well as the Media got access to inspect each and every corner of Kala Academy during my inspection on Tuesday, 9th July 2024. Everyone has seen the pathetic condition of the Kala Academy after the so-called Renovation work. Experts have observed the sub-standard and low quality works carried out, pointed Yuri Alemao.

Today, PWD submitted the Technical Plans of Sound, Lights and Acoustic which were reviewed by Roger Drego and Francis Coelho. I have requested them to do physical inspection of the Equipments and submit me a Report. After receiving the Report from them, I will take up the matter with Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, said Yuri Alemao.

After reviewing the plans submitted by PWD, it was observed that there are lot ambiguities in the Equipments ordered and Equipments supplied. There are some Equipments which are out-dated. All these issues needs to be examined carefully, stated Yuri Alemao.

I am not an expert in Cultural Performances and Event related matters. I want to find a Solution to this long pending issue and see a smile on face of all Artists. I will not politicise the issue. At the same time, I will insist on fixing responsibility and demand action against all those who are responsible for the mess, stated Yuri Alemao.

Earlier, Leader of opposition held a Meeting with Sanjiv Sardesai, Executive Engineer, Vinay Bhobe, AE of PWD, Milind D. Mate, Deputy Director of Art & Culture, Arvind Khutkar, Member Secretary Kala Academy, Roger Drego, Internationally acclaimed Sound Engineer, Francis Coelho, Event Organiser and Cecille Rodrigues, Secretary Kala Rakhonn Mandd.