FUNDS FOR CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS STILL IN QUESTION

PANJIM: With tourism minister Nilkanth Halarnkar and director Swapnil Naik in US to promote destination Goa, and government funds for Carnival celebrations still in question, the successful organization of one of the industry's major attractions has come under a cloud.

Stating it will not be in a position to host this year's carnival parade in the state capital on March 5 unless it receives government funding, the Panjim Carnival Committee on Thursday asked the tourism department to deposit funds it sought by February 28.

Carnival organizers have also postponed all decisions with regard to the float parades until the government clarifies whether it will hike the funding or not. Carnival organizers in Panjim said the committee cannot take any decision as it is unsure on the budget it is working on.

"The tourism minister and director will return by March 4. The parade in Panjim is on March 5. We cannot go ahead with the tendering process for setting up the carnival infrastructure as we do not know the budget this has to be based upon. Secondly, as the government asked us to seek private sponsors, we did so and now we cannot go back on our word," the committee member said.

Last month the state government had slashed funding on this year's Carnival festivities and decided to give the Panjim Carnival Committee .Rs 4 lakh, while Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda committees were sanctioned.Rs 3 lakh each.