the goan I network
PANAJI
Blame it on onions! Ports and Garbage Management Minister, Michael Lobo, has blamed the declining numbers of tourists arrivals in the State this season for the rising onion prices and not what industry insiders claim is the seeming impact of a dip in the
economy.
“Tourist arrivals in Goa are less this year. Indian tourists ask for onions and chillies (along with meals). Due to rising onion prices, they are being served cabbage and chillies,” Lobo said to the media on Saturday.
With ownership interests in multiple restaurant and hotel businesses himself, Lobo’s comments are not easy to dismiss. He also represents Calangute constituency which is considered fulcrum of the tourism industry in North Goa.
He is known to be outspoken and was recently at the centre of a row after being trolled on social media for questioning expat Goans for being critical of the government in the State. He had later apologized for the statement.
Meanwhile, Lobo made a case for “capital punishment” to rapists who murder their victim.
Commenting on the raging debate over the incident in Hyderabad where four persons who had allegedly raped and murdered a veterinarian and later were shot dead in an ‘encounter’ by the police, Lobo urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to amend the law to facilitate public hanging.
“Such crime does do have place in our society or even in jail. Amendment needs to be carried out in the Indian Penal Code by Parliament to see that such type of crimes are tried by fast track courts within a period of four months,” Lobo told reporters.
“Maximum time given (for trial) should be five months. Public hanging, which was in existence before British rule in some places in India or internationally, should come in place for rape with murder. A particular accused, once found guilty, should be hanged in a stadium...” the minister said. Hanging in public, according to Lobo will be a deterrent to men who are brazen and unafraid of the law.
“The Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit bhai Shah, who is very, very strong, should take cognisance and propose an amendment to the law,” Lobo said, adding that they should ensure it goes through.
