PANAJI
Embarrassed by the fiasco at the Mormugao cruise terminal where the taxi drivers v/s tour operators led to American tourists being disallowed to enter coaches for excursions last week, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant warned of strict action against those "harassing and looting" tourists.
Speaking at the official State function to commemorate the 61st anniversary of Goa's liberation at the Goa University grounds, Sawant said, “my government will not tolerate indiscipline of taxi operators. We want taxi owners to be part of tourism and support it.”
The chief minister said his government will act strictly against stakeholders responsible for harassing tourists even as he underscored the need for all to act and behave responsibly.
Sawant said, from taxi fares to hotel room tariffs and air fares, there was a need for all to act responsibly.
"There is a tendency to overcharge and exploit. Some sort of control will have to be brought in," Sawant said.
The State government is working towards creating a positive image of Goa with respect to tourism internationally, he said adding we are exploring different facets of tourism such as beach, hinterland, eco-tourism, wellness and spiritual tourism.
Meanwhile, the chief minister made reference to Goa's top ranking in the country as regards per-capita income even as he stressed that the government aimed to tackle the unemployment rate in the State in the upcoming year.
In an approximately 15-minute speech, Sawant thanked the Navy for commissioning INS Mormugao, a P15B stealth-guided missile destroyer at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
“I congratulate the Indian Navy for INS Mormugao, and the people of Goa are so proud that it is named after Mormugao, a place in Goa," Sawant said.
He dwelt on the State's progress in infrastructure, public welfare, skill development and some other areas and urged the people to join the march to progress through the "atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Swayampurna Goa" initiatives which he said will be continued.
He further said the state government has cracked down on people involved in land grabbing and a special investigation team has been set up to deal with such offences.
