OLD GOA
Thousands of tourists descend in Old Goa for visiting the world famous churches on a daily basis.
However, they are left with a sour taste with them being overcharged for parking their vehicles.
In one such instance which came to light on Wednesday, Rakesh, a tourist from Ranchi, informed The Goan that he was charged Rs 50 for parking his car in the parking lot near the panchayat.
“I was given a ticket of Rs 50, which is charged for a bus,” Rakesh informed while adding that the authorities should initiate probe into the issue and not loot the public.
Rakesh later went to the panchayat to complain but the sarpanch as well as the secretary were not present.
Parminder Singh, a tourist from Punjab, also had a similar tale to tell as he said that he was also charged Rs 50 each for parking two cars.
“I was given parking ticket for buses of Rs 50 each, when my family had come in two cars,” Singh informed while adding that such loot doesn’t bore well for the tourism industry in the State.
“Everywhere you go, they are charging double. Even when we go to buy cold drinks or ice creams, they charge double. For instance, for a Rs 20 cold drink we are charged Rs 40 and for a Rs 20 ice-cream also we are charged Rs 40,” Singh stated while adding that he would advise his friends not to visit Goa as tourists are being looted here.
Meanwhile, a local Dinesh Parvatkar had complained about the overcharging to the Old Goa panchayat on January 8 and the Sarpanch Medha Parvatkar had informed that she had sent her staff to verify the complaint but no proof was found of overcharging.
Parvatkar has now demanded that action be initiated against the contractor for overcharging as per the conditions laid down in the tender.
Activist Mariano Ferrao too informed The Goan that action has to be initiated against the contractor and the tender cancelled. “The name of Goa is being spoilt and it is shocking that it is happening right under the nose of the panchayat authorities,” Ferrao added.
