MARGAO
South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes on Thursday said he would take up with the Centre why the Customs department is insisting on cash payments at Dabolim airport for gold brought into the state by NRIs.
During his visit to the state, an NRI who had come down with some gold ornaments was told to pay duties in cash. The MP said the NRI was ready to pay the duties through credit cards, but the Customs officials insisted on making the payments in cash.
“I will find out from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in New Delhi why there is no facility at the Customs department at Dabolim airport to accept payments via credit cards. I suspect something hanky-panky. I will demand action from the Central government against the customs officials who were insisting on cash payments,” he said.
After the insistence on cash payment, the NRI is believed to have returned abroad, leaving behind the gold ornaments with Customs at Dabolim airport.
Asserting that escort services are bringing a bad name to Goa and its tourism, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes on Thursday reminded the media of remarks made by a Swami, who had said he felt like he was in Thailand, given the nature of tourism promoted in the state.
When a journalist questioned whether Goa is going the "Bangkok way" in tourism, the MP said, “I think we are already there. A Swami had recently said that he felt like he was in Thailand. This is how we are projecting tourism in Goa. Instead, we need to bring in quality tourism, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the state,” he added.
Saying that escort services have tarnished Goa’s tourism reputation, Viriato said, “Escort services is a refined name for prostitution. Does Goa stand for that? The government should give a free hand to the police to crack down on prostitution and escort services. Otherwise, we are heading towards a situation where Goa will turn into a capital for prostitution, alongside drugs and unemployment.”
