No change in budget session schedule for Carnival: Parrikar

Goa government today turned down demand to reschedule the upcoming budget session of the state Legislative Assembly whose timetable clashes with the annual Carnival festivities.
"Is it Diwali, Christmas, Good Friday or Eid that we should not conduct assembly session when Carnival (festivities) is on?" Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said while responding to a query during a press conference.
He pointed out that as the Carnival was not even a restricted government holiday, the issue of cancelling or rescheduling the Assembly session for it does not arise.
The NCP had petitioned state Governor B V Wanchoo seeking change in the schedule of the five-day-long session beginning March 3 in the view of Carnival celebrations to be held between March 1-4.

"Carnival is technically opposed by everyone. We are just holding the parades because they are important from tourism perspective. Even the Church is opposing Carnival," Parrikar said.
Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party. State tourism department organises float parades in the main cities which is a major draw for domestic and international tourists.
When asked about Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2014) - the first day of Lent season in the Western Christian calendar - clashing with the schedule of the session, the Chief Minister snapped at reporters saying, "Even for such occasion, the Assembly cannot be postponed. Assembly session is a serious issue. Don't try to politicise it."

Parrikar also said the groups having objection on the schedule of the session can submit their representations to the state government.