PANAJI
The State Government has appointed eminent film-maker Rajendra Talak as the vice-chairman of the Entertainment Society of Goa.
While Talak was informed about his appointment on Friday, he officially took charge as the ESG vice-chairman on Monday. The post was lying vacant since October 5, after the State Government relieved former vice-chairman Damu Naik from his post so that he could work full-time in Fatorda constituency for the upcoming State Legislative Assembly polls.
Speaking to The Goan, Talak said, “I have been given additional responsibility by being appointed as the vice-chairman. Responsibilities were always there are as I have been a part of ESG committee for nearly 10 years.”
Speaking about IFFI, he said, “I will try my best to maintain discipline and put things in place as far as the festival is concerned. And being a film-maker, it would be definitely help me in doing it.”
Meanwhile, the Federation of Film Fraternity of Goa (FFFG) has strongly opposed the move of the State Government to appoint Talak as ESG vice-chairman. It has however demanded that Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar immediately dissolve the entire general body of ESG and reconstitute it.
In a press not issued, FFFG vice-president Laxmikant Shetgaonkar said, “The Government is trying to bring a ‘yes man’ to this position to facilitate the scams and scandals in ESG.”
FFFG has also threatened to agitate and boycott ESG’s activities, if the Government fails to immediately take corrective measures.
“It is shocking to learn that Goa Government has ignored the objections expressed by the local film fraternity and have gone ahead with Talak’s appointment. The destructive attitude of Talak is well known to all the local film fraternity of Goa, who has always tried to suppress the talent with ulterior motives of trying to garner maximum benefits for his films”, stated the release.
Stating that the Film Finance Scheme for local film producers has remained in dormant condition since 2012, Shetgaonkar said,
“The rules passed by the majority of the committee members to include 50 percent artistes and 30 per cent technical staff of Goan origin while drafting the scheme were set aside by the former vice-chairmen Damodar Naik to accommodate two films of Talak “ O Maria and A Rainy Day. He is responsible for deliberately keeping the scheme under dormant condition.”
