Musician Remo Fernandes has refused to accept an award from the Goa Government to protest against what he called the “loot” of the state by its ministers, opposition leaders and politicians.The honour, instituted by the art and culture department under a scheme to recognise recipients of national and international awards, was scheduled to be presented to Remo tomorrow. The singer was awarded the Padma Shri in January.“I refuse this state award or reward as a sign of protest against the Government of Goa as well as the opposition, both full of ministers and politicians involved in large-scale attempted rape and sale of Goa through the infamous Regional Plan 2011, either actively or through their inaction,” he said in an open letter to the Art and Culture department. Remo said his decision was also aimed at protesting the blatant corruption and communalism in the Government.
