PANAJI
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has accused some activists of looking for a career in politics through protests against developmental projects while referring to protests against the State’s proposed jetty policy.
“We know what we are doing is to regulate… People who are protesting are only doing this to establish their identity in politics through activism or those who want to bounce back into the political field, or who do not know and haven’t read the policy. These people are talking about Kolso (coal), Ramponkar (fishing community)… They are opposing the policy for the sake of publicity,” he lamented while speaking to the media after a meeting with tourism officials on Thursday.
Khaunte questioned the genuineness of these activists who are protesting against the draft Jetty Policy while maintaining that the upcoming guidelines are essential to regulate the jetties for tourism purposes.
Emphasising that the Jetty Policy is a “Tourism Jetty Policy,” he rubbished allegations that jetties across the State will affect the fishing business and that it is meant for coal transportation.
“Let them (activists) protest. Our Tourism Jetty Policy will come,” he asserted, adding that the Water Sports Policy will also be ready by December 2022 to streamline this sector as well.
Reacting to the rampant menace of touts and hawkers on the beaches, Khaunte assured to act against these illegal activities and “if required, the existing Tourism laws will be amended, so that the Police will have authority to act against them.”
Khaunte also clarified that his department has done away with junkets and as such, the department refrained from taking part in road shows in Paris and other countries.
