the goan I network
PANAJI
Deputy Chief Minister Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar on Monday announced in the Goa legislative assembly that the State government has decided to set up the ‘Goa Elevation Committee’ headed by the tourism secretary which is empowered to take “policy decisions” in the tourism sector.
Ajgaonkar said the panel will also include members of the Tourism and Travel Association of Goa (TTAG) and tourism marketing professionals.
He was replying to the debate on the demands for grants pertaining to the Tourism, Sports and other departments under his charge. Speaking further, Ajgaonkar said the tourism policy is already out in the public domain and the tourism master plan will take Goa high on the national and global tourism map.
Admitting that tourist footfalls have declined, Ajgaonkar said the world economy’s slowdown and technical problems related to the issue of visas.
“We will find a solution to this issue by discussing it with related department. If relaxation on fees on visa is given than many more chartered flights may come to Goa”, he said.
He also said that hot air balloon, scuba diving and water rafting activities have been started to encourage adventure tourism.
A consultant has been appointed for a beach cleaning study, he said, and refuted allegations being made on the tendering process for beach cleaning.
Ajgaonkar, who also holds the Sports and Youth Affairs portfolio said the government is in the process of privatization of select government stadiums and appointment of a ‘transaction advisor’ is on the cards soon.
“Goa will become a Sports tourism center and a sports hub as we have good sports infrastructure. We are in the process of privatising select stadiums for proper maintenance and optimum utility”, Ajgaonkar said.
“Some days will be fixed for the government to use these stadiums and some days for compulsory use for sports
activity. The transaction advisor will advise about the best practices in this field”, added Ajgaonkar.
He also informed that Government will categorize sports disciplines on the basis of Goa’s performance in these as ‘high priority’, ‘priority’ and ‘others’ and based on merits the incentives will be provided.
The Minister announced that the ‘national sports code’ system has been implemented for sports associations in Goa. As per this code, sports association’s president, secretary and treasures tenure will be fixed.
A person can become president only for 3 terms and Secretary or treasurer only for 2 terms. A government servant can serve the associations for only one term, with prior permission. This will increase the performance of sports associations, added the Minister.
He said, the Sports department has regularized around 270 daily wage staffers and assured that he will try to regularize other people who are still on daily wages.
Minister also informed that around Rs 160 crore works are going on in Goa for the National Games. Tennis court at Fatorda, Multipurpose Indore stadium at Navelim, Pernem, hockey ground at Navelim, Squash Court at Chicalim, tennis court and multipurpose hall at Fatorda, renovation of swimming pool at Campal, multipurpose hall at Ponda have been done, the Minister said.
He also said that for opening and closing ceremony of National Games around Rs 200 crore will be spent.
He also said that the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections had delayed the work for National Games, adding that irregular supply of lights and wooden frame had delayed stadium works.
Minister also informed that in the year 2018-19 years Goan sportsperson has won total 77 which includes 11 gold, 24 Silver and 42 bronze medals.
“We have got 7 medals at the international level, 88 at national level and 26 at zonal level,” he added.
