PANAJI
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has criticised the police for failing to curb the menace of illegal touts in the State, saying fines alone would not solve the problem and calling for repeat offenders to be detained and deported from Goa.
Expressing disappointment over the lack of visible action despite repeated interventions with senior police officials, Khaunte said the menace was damaging Goa’s tourism image and required sustained enforcement by the police and Coastal Police. “I, along with the CM, am of the strict view that touts need to be out. Police have to pick them up and act. Unfortunately, we don’t see the kind of result on the ground,” he said while speaking to the media.
He said the department had repeatedly raised the issue with the DGP and SPs but had not seen the desired response.
“Cleaning of touts is the only thing required for good tourism. We have raised the issue with the DGP and SPs but the result is not visible,” he said.
Khaunte said the existing practice of imposing fines was ineffective as many touts were repeat offenders. He said necessary changes had already been made to the law to enable stronger action against them.
He also alleged that many touts were non-Goans and were involved in selling or promoting activities that were giving Goa a bad name. “These people need to be detained and deported from Goa directly. They need to be put in detention centres. Repeated offenders need to be kept in detention centres,” he said.
Meanwhile, members of the All Goa Shack Operators Association met Khaunte over issues related to shack licences. The operators were informed that the beach shack policy would be extended by one year and that the registration process had already begun.
Khaunte said the extension would provide stability to shack operators while ensuring tourists continued to have access to one of Goa’s most recognisable tourism experiences.
He, however, warned shack operators against sub-letting their establishments, saying violations would invite action.
“I have given clear instructions to the shack operators to ensure that shacks are not sub-let, or action will follow,” he said.
