Goa govt unhappy over listing of state monuments for adoption

The Goa government has expressed its reservation over the Centre listing some of the state monuments for adoption without consulting the local authorities about it.

The state cabinet members, including Archives Minister Vijai Sardesai, Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, expressed apprehension over the Union culture ministry's scheme under which, Sardesai claimed, six monuments in Goa, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa, have been listed for adoption.

"The news is that monuments, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, have been listed for adoption by private players. The Goa government is completely in dark about it. It is a religious place of huge importance, the relics of St Francis Xavier are kept there," Sardesai told reporters today.

He said the Basilica, which is located about nine kms from Panaji, is not just a place of cultural importance but also has religious significance.

Sardesai said a meeting would be called next week where he, Ajgaonkar and Madkaikar, the MLA from North Goa's Cumbharjua constituency where the Basilica of Bom Jesus is situated, will be present.

The ministers would discuss the matter with the parish priest of Se Cathedral (also located in Old Goa), rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, state chief secretary, the Archaeological Survey of India and the church representatives, he said.

"We should be clear about what exactly is the adoption scheme. The experience with Delhi (central government) has been that they come with a small thing and then they take over your whole asset," Sardesai said.

The Old Goa churches are an asset of the state and the church has to be taken into confidence, he said, adding that "here in this case, we were not aware."
The Chapora and Cab de Rama forts have also been listed, he said, adding that "we will not allow anyone to take over the forts under the guise of providing some amenities."