Margao – As the 2nd edition of Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival is starting at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Government documents reveal that sponsorship of Rs. 1.5 crores was given to Antarang Productions Margao for organising Bulbul Film Festival in 2024. It looks like the said sponsorship without following any codal formalities is Quid Pro Quo for handling Social Media of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, charged Madganvcho Awaaz and Youth Leader Prabhav Naik.
As per government documents it is seen that just 2 page proposal from Antarang Productions, Note from defector MLA Digambar Kamat & “Approved may put up” remark by Chief Minister, all on the same day of 08/09/2023 and Cabinet approval taken by Directorate of Information & Publicity “Without Following Codal Formalities” for Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival-2024, said Prabhav Naik.
If the information is true, the Social Media Management of Margao MLA has costed state exchequer ₹1.5 crores. I demand that Margao MLA Digambar Kamat should clarify on this, Prabhav Naik said.
As per official documents available with us, Government has no information on Films Screened, Events Organised, Criteria of Film Selections, Names of Curators responsible for selection of films etc for Bulbul 2024 film festival, pointed Prabhav Naik.
Government has also stated that there is no information on number of delegates and participants who attended the film festival in 2024.
Why was such a huge amount of 1.5 crores given as sponsorship to Antarang Production without any accountability? Antarang Proposal and Digambar Kamat note expose that there was a meeting held by Margao MLA and he had also spoken to CM before the proposal was made by Antarang and note was made by Margao MLA on 8/9/2023, said Prabhav Naik.
This year individuals associated with Antarang Production are appointed as Directors of Bulbul Festival and organiser is Dept of Information and Publicity. What basis are their appointments made? Why no representative of Entertainment Society of Goa on this years organising team? questioned Prabhav Naik.
What will be the burden on Goans of Bulbul Children’s Film Festival 2025?. We have information that it is going to be around 3.5 to 5 crores. Government should explain such huge expenditure when they dont have money to install fire fighting system in New Market, Margao, they have no funds to upgrade and make fully operational South Goa District Hospital and Margao Traffic Management, stated Prabhav Naik.
Government has no money to take up Fire Fighting system in Margao Market, no money for Traffic Management, no money for upgrading South Goa District Hospital but they have money to spend on events which are benefitting some private individuals
