the goan I network
PANAJI
“Whether it is the EDM or CDM, M matters most for those in this dysfunctional government” said AAP writing to the chief secretary demanding transparency in the process of granting of permission for the proposed EDM.
This event which had given Goa a miss due to what was claimed by organisers then as excessive demands for underhand money by ministers in the past. Tourism minister who has been rooting for EDM festivals was quoted recently saying that an EDM festival would be held in February.
AAP also said that CDM is a reference to CDM Smith, a US consultancy firm, which had admitted to paying 25000 US dollars to corrupt officials in the Parrikar led BJP Government and no action was taken against anyone.
Party General secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar pointed out that dues running into crores of rupees had not been paid by organisers of such events in the past and drew attention of the CS to an order passed by the High Court making strong observations against the government for being lax in recovery of the dues.
“If a common man owes dues to the government, the authorities chase him till the last penny is paid. But here is a case where the government for obvious reasons goes soft against these EDM organisors” said Padgaonkar stating that there is no transparency in the process of grant of permissions and people of the locality where the EDMs are held and who get severely inconvenienced due to non stop noise pollution and denial of access to their own houses due to traffic congestion are never heard.
“These locals are left with garbage at the end of the EDM’s while the organisers and authorities laugh their way to the bank” remarked Padgaonkar demanding to know the status of the recovery of past dues.
