MAPUSA
Referring to the replies received from the Goa Legislative Assembly, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Friday said that Goa Tourism Board (GTB) which is supposed to make up policies for the tourism industry in the State appears to have been sidelined and Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) has taken over the role of running the tourism department.
“The minutes of GTB show that many proposals have been received by the tourism department from GEL and for which they are charging exorbitant fees. It shows that GEL is processing applications in every activity,” Sardesai said.
He said all these years, the water sports licences expired on May 31 but for the first time, this year, water sports licences have expired on March 31 as proposed by GEL.
“Is GEL replacing the tourism board? What is GEL’s expertise? Do they have any expertise in the tourism sector?” he asked.
He said the High Court has directed the introduction of the queue system for water sports activity but the court has never said that it has to be given to GEL or GEL should charge and take the commission.
“GEL has become a hydra and its tentacles are spreading in all departments. Who is running the tourism industry in the State? Is it the tourism department or GEL,” Sardesai questioned.
He further disclosed that the tourism department takes data entry operators from GEL and the department is paying Rs 25,000 to the operators.
“My charge is that GEL is the tout of the tourism department which should not happen,” he alleged.
Stating that the policy decision should not be handed over to GEL, the Fatorda MLA said that any IT company should be asked to impose a flat development and operation charge.
