for Special Correspondent
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Aug 22: The State government is almost on warpath with the directorate of film festival (DFF) over International Film Festival of India (IFFI) organization in the State.

The differences simmer between the State government-sponsored Entertainment society of Goa and Directorate of film festival after the latter rejected the former's proposal for greater participation in the festival.

"The ESG board meeting on Saturday August 24 will take firm stand on the issue," state's chief secretary J P Singh stated.

The board headed by chief minister Digamber Kamat is perturbed after the DFF reportedly refused Goa's draft MoU and sent the document which was unfavourable for the state.

The state is pressing for greater participation as they shoulder 80 per cent of the expenditure since 2004 when it was shifted to Goa during erstwhile Manohar Parrikar government regime.

State chief secretary termed DFF's move to reject state's MoU as 'unfair.' The board meeting is expected to discuss the attitude of the DFF during its meeting this weekend.

The differences with DFF also figured during the ensuing state legislative assembly session wherein chief minister Digamber Kamat categorically made the statement that he would lead the delegation to the centre on the issue.

The sources confirmed that Goa, which was intending to hold the festival entirely on its own, may even think of pulling out from the organization, if DFF does not heed to their requests.

The ESG officials recently had even visited Mumbai seeking Bollywood's support in independently holding the IFFI in Panaji.