Panaji: Singer and musician Remo Fernandes has refused to accept a state award instituted by the Goa government's art and culture department.
Remo has said that his refusal is a protest against what he calls the 'loot' of Goa by it's ministers, opposition leaders and politicians.
The award to recognise recipients of national and international awards was to be presented to Remo on Saturday.
In an open letter to the government the singer stated that his decision was also a protest against the blatant corruption and communalism in the government and opposition.
"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 the letter.
He also said that he was protesting the failure of the government and the opposition to curb and control garbage and plastic, traffic chaos, excessive immigration and construction, destruction of Goan nature and beauty.
He also criticised the politicians for "their continued failure to provide us our two most basic needs and rights: good quality health and education".
Remo, however, thanked the state government and Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, who proposed and approved his name for the award which comprises a memento, a citation, a shawl and Rs 50,000 in cash.
Remo was awarded the Padma Shri in January.
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