PANAJI
The Kala Rakhonn Mandd has said its ‘Supari Andolan’ will continue until all its demands on the restoration of the Kala Academy and the welfare of artists are met.
Members of the Mandd met Art and Culture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on Monday, urging him to speed up the restoration of the Kala Academy and to include artists in decisions related to cultural infrastructure.
They said expert advice must be sought for the proposed new Ravindra Bhavans and that design and technical aspects should meet the needs of performers and technicians, not just engineers.
The delegation said the Minister assured them he would take up the issue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and ensure that restoration work, now being inspected by IIT Chennai, is completed to high standards. IIT Chennai has done its first inspection, with two more visits planned before submitting its final report. Tawadkar also promised to raise the repair and maintenance budget, involve artists in planning, and revise the Cultural Policy in consultation with stakeholders.
The Mandd also called for accountability for lapses and financial irregularities in earlier renovation works and demanded that those responsible be identified and punished.
