the goan I network
MARGAO
It's nearly six months since the commercial capital had played to the traditional khell tiatr during the three-day Carnival festivities in all the 25 wards of the Margao Municipal Council.
Sadly, some of the khell tiatr producers have still not been paid their money by the civic body, leaving many a producers high and dry.
A group of affected khell tiatr producers had recently called on the Margao Municipal officials, hoping that they receive their money for staging the khell tiatr in the municipal wards.
To their shock and surprise, however, they were informed that the first installment of funds received from the government is already exhausted, adding that their payments will be made only after receiving the second installment of funds.
Incidentally, the khell tiatr producers, whose payments have still not been effected by the civic body, had staged the shows after offering discounts.
What's interesting to note is that the carnival festivities were organised by the Margao Municipal administration given that the election code of conduct was still in force in the State in view of the Assembly election.
When The Goan called up the concerned officials, they admitted that a couple of khell tiatr producers have still not been cleared of their payments, adding that the Municipality will clear their dues once the second installment of money comes from the Tourism department.
"Only recently, we had sent a reminder to the concerned tourism officials to dispatch the second installment of funds to clear the huge dues, including payments to the khell tiatr producers," remarked Assistant Engineer Vishant Naik, who was appointed the coordinator of the Carnival festival organised under the leadership of then Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Y B Tawde.
Replying to a question, he pointed out that the tourism officials have got back to the civic body stating that the second installment of funds will come no sooner the ongoing audit of accounts is completed.
"We have already assured the khell tiatr producers that they need not worry and that they will get their payments once the second installment is received by the civic body," Naik added.
This is not the first time that the Margao Municipality has been accused of delaying in clearing the payments of the khell tiatr producers. In the past too, many a khell tiatr producers were left high and dry for reasons best known to the civic babus and City Fathers.
