SARAS-16 from Nov 3 pending ACB, MMC sanction
Complaint pending with Vigilance on leasing SGPDA for exhibitions
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
The stage is set for the 12-day Rural Development Agency’s annual Goa SARAS-2016 at the SGDPA ground from November 3; however, the Margao Municipal Chief Officer has kept on hold the permission for the mega event of artisans from 12 states on grounds that the organisers get the NOC from Vigilance department’s Anti-Corruption Bureau in view of the complaint pending with the investigating agency pertaining to leasing of SGPDA grounds for exhibitions.
While RDA Minister Alina Saldanha told the media earlier in the day that SARAS-2016 will get underway at the SGPDA ground from November 3, the evening saw the MMC Chief Officer Y B Tawde holding back the permission for the event, while asking the organisers to obtain NOC from the ACB as well as the elected council or chairperson.
“Since there’s a complaint pending with the ACB concerning corruption on the question of leasing the SGPDA ground for exhibitions, I have asked the organisers to get NOC from the ACB and the chairperson. I have no problem to issue the permission if the organisers obtain the NOCs,” Tawde told The Goan on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, addressing the media, Alina Saldanha said that artisans and self help groups from 12 states are participating in the 12-day festival, which will give both local and outstation artisans/SHGs an opportunity to showcase their products. Last year, SARAS had made a turnover of Rs 80.64 lakh. The government of India provides financial support of Rs 35 lakh for organizing SARAS, while the local government will chip in with Rs 20 lakh for the event,” she said.
“We have about 250 artisans coming for SARAS-2016 from all over India. It will begin on November 3, and concluded on November 14. There will be various competitions such as solo singing, fancy dress for children, besides other entertainment programmes by Prince Jacbo, Sonia Sirsat and other artistes,” she said.
The event is being organised by the RDA under supervision of project director Laura Britto and DRDA North V N Shetye and project coordinator Anjulo Fernandes.
