PONDA: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, on Thursday, said that his government is striving hard to develop the state of Goa culturally, and therefore a cultural policy, was formulated under the Department of Art and Culture, to promote hidden talents among the youth in the state.

Mr Kamat, was speaking after unveiling a plaque to mark the ceremony for laying the foundation stone of the renovation works of the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir at Ponda.
The renovation works of Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir are estimated to cost ` 19 crore and that it is assured that it would be completed within next 12 months. The project work is undertaken by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
Speaking further, Mr Kamat said, “if there is no cultural development, then we cannot claim that Goa is developed, even though we have a number of development projects here.’’
He also said that his government is more concerned about the artist community of the state and hence separate and special schemes were formulated for them, including the pension scheme.
The upgradation of the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir would create a right  ambience in this cultural hub of the state, Mr Kamat pointed out.
The local MLA and the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik congratulated that Chief Minister for sanctioning the funds for the upgradation of the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir.
Mr Naik, who is also the chairman of the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, informed that the structure was leaking and hence it was decided to upgrade it.
He further said that a lot of development projects were taken up with the help of the Chief Minister, Mr Kamat and urged the 400-odd gathered crowd not to fall prey to the tactics of opposition, which is shouting from the rooftops.
The vice-chairman of Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Mr Vishnu Wagh explained how the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir gave opportunities to the young and budding artists from Ponda to horn their talents.
The Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir has been organising fugadi and dance competitions annually, he added.
Mr Jayant Tari, the deputy collector, and the member secretary of the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, praised Mr Naik for making efforts to bring about development in Ponda, He later proposed the vote of thanks.
The Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir was first completed in the year 2004, even though the foundation stone was laid in the year 1991.