MARGAO
Water sports operators under the banner of South Goa Water Sports Association on Friday cried foul as the date of validity on the certificate of registration issued by the authorities is mentioned as March 31 when it ought to have been May 31 as is the case every year.
The operators also slammed the Tourism department for introducing GEL, saying they are being made to pay fees for GEL as well as to the Tourism department.
In a letter addressed to the Tourism department, the water sports operators have called for rectification of dates in the certificates of Registration in the validity column to ensure they carry out water sports till May 31 without any hindrance.
Addressing the media at the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative complex on Friday, the operators pointed out that the Captain of Ports' NOC is valid till May 31, 2023, insisting the date appeared in the validity column should be read as May 31, 2023, and not as March 31, 2023.
“When we questioned the Tourism officials, they sought to downplay the discrepancy. But, we found something suspicious. It seemed not to be an error, but a deliberate attempt to mete out harassment to the water sports operators for opposing GEL,” informed Association president Domingo Rodrigues.
Association Secretary Roy Barretto echoed similar sentiments pointing out that the registration of Tourist Trade Act 1982 and Rules, 1985 under Chapter IV-A Registration of tour operators water sports and adventure sports operators is clear that the certificate of registration issued under section 19 B shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue and shall be renewable before its expiry on payment of fees.
“Under the above section, the Department of Tourism shall renew for the period of one year in case of vessels operating under the Inland vessel Act, 2021 where the survey certificate issued by the Captain of Ports is valid for one year. Therefore the date that appeared on the survey certificate of the Captain of Ports must appear on the certificate of registration of the Tourism Department,” he added.
Both Domingo and Roy pointed out that the Tourism department as well as GEL are charging fees from the water sports operators for the renewal of water sports boats.
Tourism stakeholders unite to protect interest of locals
MARGAO:
Various Tourism stakeholders, including water sports operators and shack owners, have now proposed to come under the banner of the All Goa Tourism Stakeholders Association to protect the interest of locals eking out a living in the tourism business.
President of All Goa Shack Owners Society Cruz Cardozo has lent his full support to the water sports operators objecting to the entry of GEL. “Since all the tourism stakeholders are facing hardships and difficulties, it has been decided to come under the banner of All Goa Tourism Stakeholders Association to protect their interests,” he said.
Cruz said all the stakeholders have now decided to support each other and protect their interests. Saying that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has been sympathetic to the demands raised by the tourism stakeholders such as the water sports operators and shack owners et al, Cruz, however, said their issues have not been communicated to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the right perspective.
“The Chief Minister understands the concerns of the poor. Hence, we have confidence that he would mete out justice to the stakeholders,” he said while making a fervent plea to Sawant to come out with a policy to protect the interests of the stakeholders.
Cruz wondered why GEL is charging the shack owners hefty fees to the tune of Rs 13,000 when there is no single window clearance for the shack owners.
