By Times News Network

Porvorim: Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday demanded a free and fair probe into the collapse of the slab of Kala Academy’s open-air auditorium.

He also sought the resignation of art and culture minister Govind Gaude before the probe is initiated.

Sardesai said that when the portion collapsed, Gaude made a statement that the government had not taken up work on that particular portion. “I have video evidence. On November 8, 2022, the minister (Gaude) had conducted an inspection. The PWD minister should tell me that corruption has led to the collapse of a portion of the Kala Academy. It was the portion where work was done,” he said in the House during Zero Hour.

“Fear and anxiety is in the minds of the people of Goa regarding dilapidated government buildings that are leaking during the monsoon,” the Fatorda MLA added. “I urge the government to repair such buildings on priority so that government files are safe and such buildings do not cause any harm to the staff and members of the general public.”

The entire slab of the open-air auditorium of the Kala Academy in Panaji collapsed earlier this month. The iconic building was designed by world-renowned architect, Charles Correa. The complex has been out of bounds to the public owing to renovation works.

PWD minister Nilesh Cabral inspected the site in the aftermath of the incident and said he would order an
inquiry into the matter, following which a white paper would be released.

This article was originally posted in The Times of India on 26 July 2023. Extracted on 01 August 2023 from the original here. Watch the video here.