BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stated that the museums always speaks of the past and mentioned that the heritage house is the ideal location for museum which would help in drawing more national and international tourists.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Indian Customs and Central Excise's museum at the heritage building of the Custom House, Panjim, yesterday.
Speaking further, he stated that the government is planning to have new tax code, which would be out on the official website soon and also mentioned that his ministry is working hard to upgrade the tax collection system.
He also expressed satisfaction that the collection of direct taxes is more than indirect taxes, which is a good sign.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat who was also present for the function informed that from Goa Rs 1500 crore of revenue is collected from Customs and Excise. He also expressed his gratitude for selecting the heritage blue building for one of its kind museum in the country. He added, “The Old Secretariat or the Adil Shah palace which is in the vicinity of this building is under the process of restoration and soon the Centre for Art and Culture would begin there.”
P C Zha, Chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs speaking about the museum stated, “this idea of museum conceptualised in the year 2003.
We selected this place as it has its own historical value.
It is functioning as Custom House from Portuguese times.”
K C Singh, Chief Commissioner of Pune Zone stated that this museum is divided in nine galleries namely the introductory gallery, heritage, battle of wits (showcasing items that they managed to get from smugglers) seizure gallery, wildlife and also an airport situation centre will feature all the artefacts.
He further informed that this museum would be opened for public for a fortnight and afterwards it would be shut for further renovation.
Dr S S Biswas, advisor of the museum project, mentioned that this museum would educate people with a dose of entertainment. “Our future plans includes working on other galleries like Pre-Independence gallery, the Central Excise Post-Independence gallery, the Narcotics Gallery, the International customs gallery, the Laboratory gallery and the cafeteria” added Biswas. This function was also attended by P V Bhide, Revenue Secretary, Government of India, Micky Pacheco, Tourism Minister, North Goa MP, Shripad Naik, South Goa MP, Francisco Sardinha and other dignitaries.
