IIFI to be held as per schedule in Nov Goa CM Cong opposes

    Panaji, Aug 13 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
has said the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) would
be held in the state in November this year as per schedule.
    IFFI is held annually in the coastal state between
November 20 and 28.
    The state will be hosting IFFI 2020 as per schedule in
the last week of November, Sawant told reporters on Wednesday.
    The opposition Congress, however, said it is not
advisable to host IFFI in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
and urged the state government to reconsider its decision.
    Role of @GovtofGoa is now reduced to Travel and
Hospitality agent of @IFFIGoa. I demand @goacm must reconsider
its decision on hosting of #IFFI2020," Leader of Opposition in
the state Assembly Digambar Kamat tweeted.
    He also demanded a white paper from the government on
the expenditure incurred on IFFI, and benefits received by the
local film fraternity and tourism sector from the festival.
    "CM @DrPramodPSawant has accepted that financial
condition of the State is bad. The Covid Pandemic is not the
time for hosting Festivals and Celebrations. With no Financial
support from @MIBIndia and @DFFIndia, Goa ends up spending
Rs 20-25 crores every year on the mega event.@INCGoa, Kamat
said in another tweet.
    The festival is organised by the Directorate of Film
Festivals in association with the state government's
Entertainment Society of Goa. PTI RPS
GK GK

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)