the goan I network
PANAJI
The Opposition on Friday requested the government to intervene and prevent the shutdown of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory in Usgao. If the factory shuts down, the Congress have said that around 1,200 sugarcane farmers will be out of jobs.
Addressing the media at Congress house on a host of issues, Congress spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar asked that the factory not be shut down at any cost.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on October 12 issued a closure notice to Sanjivani Sugar factory. This notice was issued as the factory was found not following CPCB guidelines on water pollution. In June 2017, the CPCB had asked the State Pollution Board to ensure that the factory followed guidelines, and buy a machine, the reported cost of which is Rs 60 lakhs. However, the said machine has still not been put in place. As such, the CPCB has directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board to disconnect power connection to the factory until the said guidelines are adopted and complied with.
Addressing the issue, Panjikar asked why the machinery had not yet been put in place. “When so many crores are being spent on ailing ministers, what is 60 lakhs to save the jobs of 1,200 farmers?” demanded Panjikar.
Congress alleges irregularities in accounts at IFFI
PANAJI: The Congress on Friday said that they would be asking for accounts of the International Film Festival via RTI on the conclusion of the festival. Expressing concern that all was not in order regarding certain contracts given out for the Festival, spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar slammed the organisers, the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) for not being transparent in contracts given out to the agency handling air tickets, as well as the hotel handling stay of guests.
“Thought the travel agency is showing a 0% commission, no one has a record of how much the air tickets cost at the time they were booked,” said Panjikar.
“The ESG cannot just dish out contracts to whomever they want based on the criteria they decide, without any transparency in the process,” he said.
Panjikar also pointed out that Hotel Taj Vivanta had been given the contract for accommodation of guests for three years, starting 2017. “What is the necessity for this, when there are so many potential hotels?” asked Panjikar, even as he said that there was a racket which involved taxis for the festival too.
The Congress alleged that CEO of ESG Ameya Abhyankar, the GM of ESG Mrunal Walke, and Admin/Hospitality Siddhesh Sane were involved in the said irregularities.
