Film producers submit memorandum to CM

Some film producers have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat demanding the removal of the chief executive officer (CEO) of Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), Mr Manoj Srivastava, for his failure to keep ESG in ship shape.

Citing his failure to streamline the agency as far as the film-related activities go, the memorandum signed by eleven, including noted personalities like Prince Jacob, Sanjeev Prabhudesai and Arnaldo D'Costa alleges that the ESG has wasted monies on the Short Film Centre and the CEO was wasting money to accommodate his close aides during IFFI celebrations and for his personal overseas tours. They demanded that the money be instead used to promote Goan films.

They were also upset that at the recent 'Spirit of Freedom Festival' Hindi films like 'Lagaan' and 'Rang de Basanti' were screened but Konkani films like 'Sood' and 'Zuzari', that also qualified for the festival were excluded. Pointing out that the ESG was not giving proper representation to local film producers in various activities undertaken by it, they wanted due representation on various panels and committees from now on.

Some other issues that were brought up in the almost 4 page memorandum were a Special Cell for local film industry, apprehensions regarding the film finance scheme, encouraging producers with subsidies, bringing down hiring charges of government theatres and due representation to Konkani films during IFFI 2009. The eleven also accused the CEO of failing to streamline the functioning of ESG.

"We need some competent officer who will put in efforts to make ESG the single-window for film activities," the memorandum said. The memorandum has also sought a high-level inquiry into an alleged sex scam involving a VIP associated with ESG in 2008 pointing out that various media reports in the recent past have revealed the VIP associated with ESG was involved in the sex scam during IFFI.

The eleven also accused the ESG of organising Portuguese and Cuban film festivals at huge cost and alleged that these festivals drew a very poor response from the public and wanted the ESG to instead utilize these funds for promotion of film-related activities like editing workshops, script writing contests, etc.