PANAJI
Goa has knocked the doors of the Central government seeking a 'special package' to promote tourism, a crucial economic activity but which has been struggling in the pandemic affected scenario.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the State government has requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to grant a 'special package' to promote tourism.
The request has been made in a stand alone letter Sawant has written to Sitharaman.
Tourism along with mining and agriculture are sectors Goa's economy is dependent on and all three are badly affected by the pandemic, according to Sawant, which has prompted him to seek the special package from the Centre.
Earlier this week, captains of Goa's tourism industry were upset that the budget presented by Sitharaman had nothing in it for the sector.
Jack Sukhija of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa in their budget reaction had argued that the struggling industry was disappointed that even the longstanding issue of giving the sector 'industry' status had also not found favour with the Finance Ministry yet.
Meanwhile, Sawant said direct and indirect revenue from the tourism sector has drastically dropped this year due to the pandemic putting the government's coffers under pressure.
"Mining is also at a standstill due to the Supreme Court ban," Sawant said, adding that it was in this backdrop that the plea for a 'special package' for tourism has been made as it is a sector best poised to post a recovery as the pandemic eases.
Expressing confidence that the request will evoke a positive response from Sitharaman, the chief minister said the funds will be utilized to promote hinterland tourism
