the goan I network
MAPUSA
After the functioning of the KPMG, who are consultants for the Draft Goa Tourism Policy 2018, came under intense scrutiny from the opposition and the treasury benches, Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar agreed to institute an inquiry against the firm.
Ajgaonkar faced flak on the floor of the House after members of the legislative assembly questioned the delay in formulating the tourism policy for the State.
Initiating the discussion, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said she had no doubt the tourism minister would deliver a good plan but wanted an assurance that all stakeholders like the panchayats, civic bodies and the legislators would be taken into confidence.
“Goa is a small state, half the size of a district in Maharashtra or Karnataka. While formulating the tourism policy, the size of the state should be taken into consideration. Infrastructure is important but the focus should be on maintenance,” Saldanha said.
The tourism minister informed that only four MLAs “ Michael Lobo, Alina Saldanha, Glenn Ticlo and Deepak Pauskar “ were present at a meeting held to discuss the Draft Goa Tourism Policy, 2018 in the secretariat in January this year.
“Out of four MLAs, only two submitted written suggestions. We want to form a good tourism plan for the State and therefore all MLAs should show interest and share their inputs,” Ajgaonkar said.
Questioning the credibility of the consultants, Aldona MLA Glenn Ticlo said the draft plan appeared to be a copy-paste job and wondered if it was a replica of some other countries.
He said Rs 3 crore has already been paid to KPMG to prepare the draft plan but the tourism industry was yet to get a direction in the State.
“In the last tourism season, there was a drop of almost 15 lakh tourists and the arrival of charter flights saw a slump of almost 25 percent,” Ticlo said.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out that the State already had Goa Tourism Development Corporation and the suggestion to form Goa Tourism Board would lead to duplication of works.
“I think an inquiry has to be conducted in the working of the consultant firm. The ruling MLAs also doubt the report presented by the firm. I insist that KPMG has to be probed,” Sardesai said.
The tourism minister said the draft tourism plan and the master plan would be prepared by taking all Goans into confidence and keeping the concerns of environment in mind.
Acknowledging the mood of the House, Ajgoankar finally assured to initiate inquiry in the functioning of KPMG.
Congress MLAs Pratapsingh Rane and Aleixo Reginald Lourenco also participated in the discussion.
