Use part of film fest budget for flood relief: BJP

PANAJI - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday demanded that part of the Rs.6.5 crore earmarked for the 40th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here be diverted to fund flood relief measures in south Goa.

Addressing reporters, state BJP president Shripad Naik said the government should stop splurging on the event, to be held in November, in light of the floods, which he said had caused an estimated damage of Rs.150 crore.

“The IFFI budget should be utilized for rehabilitating and compensating the people instead of spending it on this one event alone,” Naik said.

“There are 800 people living in temporary camps because their homes are still flooded. Sugarcane plantations, farms are submerged. Where is the money going to come from?” the Lok Sabha MP said.

Meanwhile, rescue and rehabilitation work continues in the Canacona, which saw unprecedented floods Friday. Rail, road and air transport came to a virtual standstill due to rain and low visibility.

While the police and rescue teams continue to hunt for two missing people who are feared drowned, the district collector has formed a team to assess the losses caused by the sudden flooding.