Date:19/10/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/10/19/stories/2003101903181000.htm

National

Why Goa, asks Bengal CM

By Malabika Bhattacharya

Kolkata Oct. 18. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, is upset with the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre for shifting the venue of international film festivals from Delhi to Goa.

"Why is Goa chosen for such festivals?'' Mr. Bhattacharjee asked. He said he would try to find the answer from the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ravishankar Prasad. " Maybe, they (the Centre) are trying to promote tourism there.''

For him, the reason for abandoning Delhi in favour of Goa is quite clear — the absence of a discerning audience for film festivals. ``Delhi fails to draw people to such events. It's only a few bureaucrats and foreign embassy officials who crowd the screenings of films,'' he said.

This November the Bhattacharjee Government will hold the annual international film festival.