PANAJI
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has expressed his disappointment and frustration over the police’s inaction to control the rampant menace of illegal touts in Calangute, where tourists descend in large numbers than in any other part of Goa. With the local police failing in its responsibility, the minister has sought Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s intervention to crack down on illegal activities.
Khaunte, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an inspection of the pumping station at Guirim, voiced his concern about the negative impact illegal touts have on the tourism sector stating Goa’s image was further taking a beating due to such activities.
“Ever since I took over as Tourism Minister, my first demand has been to stop illegal touting because it is connected to every part of this industry… These people are involved in dance bars and other illegal businesses,” he said.
The minister also applauded Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and sarpanch Joseph Sequeira’s demand to crack a whip on the touts as they are heavily becoming a nuisance to the tourists. “It is good that Lobo has realized the menace one year after I have been repeatedly raising concerns. We will work together to cleanse this menace, especially on the Calangute belt because it is only growing by the day. These activities are already affecting good tourism and good tourists and we need to stop this,” Khaunte said.
The minister also questioned police inaction adding that he will seek CM’s intervention to act against the thriving illegality: “Before Goa faces the fate of major countries that saw a total collapse of tourism owing to such nuisances.”
“Police are lacking somewhere because if the concerned MLA (Lobo) is complaining, it means police are actually not taking action. Why are the police not acting,” he asked.
Khaunte also hinted at strengthening the tourism laws giving the tourism department more powers to depend less on the police for action against such menace.
