MARGAO
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte was inundated with a host of issues as he embarked on the government’s ‘Prashahan Tumchea Dari’ programme in Saxttidom on Friday, promising a follow up on the issues with officials, going to the extent of handing out an assurance that the exercise will not be a onetime affair.
BJP MLAs, Aleixo Sequeira and Ulhas Tuenkar, Independent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva were amongst the Saxtti MLAs present at the programme. Given that Rohan Khaunte presides over the Tourism portfolio, he had to grapple with a host of tourism-related issues, including problems aired by the water sports operators, absence of CCTV cameras along the beach belt et al.
Saying that jobs are not available to youth, a citizen wondered how come most of the jobs are going to Valpoi and other areas.
Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar made a fervent plea to the Minister to ensure the government makes budgetary provision in the ensuing budget to tone up the disaster management cell. Shirodkar pointed out that the disaster management cell lacks even basic infrastructure and logistics, prompting the authorities to agencies, including the Margao Municipal Council for vehicles, workers, etc.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas submitted a memorandum to the Tourism Minister on the defunct CCTV cameras installed across Salcete beach belt. He said the cameras have failed to provide safety and security to the visitors visiting the Salcete beach belt.
Traditional fishermen and water sports operators, Pele Fernandes made a fervent plea to the Minister not to push GEL services on the operators. He said Benaulim beach is ranked third in Asia because of the hard work put in by the fishermen and water sports operators by taking care of the tourists.
Journalist Arvind Tengse created a flutter at the programme when he drew attention of the Minister how the Mamlatdar office is insisting on documents for residence certificates when the very office had issued one just some months ago. When the Mamlatdar explained that the Citizens Service Centre manned by GEL insists on fresh document, Khaunte shot back saying the CSC has a provision when the previous can be pulled and available to the party. He said that citizens are told they can get the birth certificates within two days, when the Sub-Registrar office takes around a week time to trace the documents.
BJP ST leader Anthony Barbosa said the tribal community too is facing issues over the issuance of certificates, and urged the Minister to issue directions to streamline the system.
The minister was also flooded with garbage related issues. In fact, one of the sarpanchas suggested to the minister that mini-garbage plants should be set up to cater to 4-5 villages since there’s opposition for MRF shed in almost all the villages.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz drew attention of the Minister to consider South Goa for major events for benefit of the stakeholders. He said the government should resolve the CRZ issues facing the traditional fishermen.
Margao Municipal councillor Mahesh Amonkar raised issue of beggars occupying the MMC garden benches. He suggested that the Collector be told to issue directions to the NGOs providing food to the beggars to do so at some other place and restore the garden’s glory.
In his address, the Tourism Minister said the government has not made any discrimination between North and South Goa, saying the government talks about one Goa for its development.
In this respect, he said the Spirit of Goa Festival will be held at Colva in mid-April.
On the defunct CCTV cameras, Khaunte said high resolutions will soon replace the existing cameras within a year, which will help to ensure the safety and security of visitors.
On the tower policy, he said while the policy allows towers for installation sans NOC of local bodies, the companies need to understand the public sentiments to ensure that minor issues do not flare up in agitations.
‘Homestay policy will regulate eco-tourism’
MARGAO: Saying the Canacona and Sanguem talukas in South Goa have huge potential for hinterland and eco-tourism, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Friday said the government will soon unveil the homestay policy which will give a big boost to eco-tourism in the State.
He said the homestay policy will regulate eco-tourism since the government believes in sustainable and responsible tourism in the State. “We have to ensure responsible tourism in the State. Once the homestay policy is unveiled and notified, it will not only give a big boost to tourism but will ensure responsible tourism in the State,” he said.
He made a mention of Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas for making positive suggestions to take tourism forward and to ensure rise in tourist footfalls.
Saying that tout and illegal hawking will have no place on the beach belt, the Tourism Minister said security will be beefed up along the belt once the government strengthens the tourist police force.
