PANAJI
Amid increasing backlash from locals and Opposition legislators over Sunburn's proposal to relocate to Quitol, the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has rejected the proposal. The decision was made at the IDC Board meeting held on Monday.
"Sunburn's proposal to hold the EDM festival at Quitol was brought before the IDC Board, and we rejected it as it is not in our rules," IDC Chairman Aleixo Lourenco told reporters outside the Assembly complex late Tuesday night.
The Goan was the first to report on July 14 that one of the two IDC properties at Quitol was proposed to host the event this year.
Responding to criticism from Opposition leaders in the Assembly, Lourenco defended himself, stating that they were targeting him without verifying the facts. "Sunburn is held every year. This is not the first time. I have not proposed Sunburn. It is a private event. The Opposition has no other work than to target me. It's become their habit to do so without knowing or ascertaining the facts," he said.
The matter was raised in the Assembly, with Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao demanding an FIR against the organizers for selling early bird tickets sans government approval. The other Opposition MLAs also questioned government's intention to promote the event alleging it is laced with anti social activities.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte admitted on the floor of the House that the organizers applied for permission to relocate without valid documents.
