PANAJI
Over a year after hitting the brakes on its digital system, the Tourism Department is weighing whether to retain Goa Electronic Limited (GEL) or find another agency to manage the queue system for water sports activities. This comes with an assurance to consult stakeholders before making a final decision.
The department had temporarily stalled the rollout of this project last April after the operators objected to the GEL’s digital counter demonstrated during a presentation.
Now that the Bombay High Court has reiterated the digital queue system in its latest order on Thursday, the department is soon to convene a meeting to “convince” the stakeholders.
“We will convene a meeting of stakeholders and convince them… Accordingly, we will decide whether GEL should continue or another agency appointed,” Tourism Director Suneel Anchipaka said when contacted by The Goan on the recent development.
The Court has directed the Director to enforce the system for water sports on all beaches where the activity’s policy is applicable. “A proper monitoring system is essential, and the High Court’s order also emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability,” Anchipaka added.
Several stakeholders argued that they already use an app that efficiently manages water sports activities and are opposed to GEL’s direct involvement in their traditional business.
Member of the South Goa Water Sports Operators Association, John Fernandes, criticized the lack of coordination between government departments.
“We are operating with an app that I developed, where most operators are on board. Customers scan a QR code, receive a receipt and payments go directly to the operators… We don’t want to hand over our boats (business) to GEL, which lacks the technical expertise and knowledge of swimming or rescue operations. The department should not act as a broker for GEL,” Fernandes, who pioneered water sports activities in the 1990s, said.
He also mentioned that last year they opposed GEL and not the system itself, but the government diverted the issue by accusing them of not paying taxes and GST. “They failed to address the main concern,” he added.
Another operator, Savio D’Souza from Candolim, accused unorganized operators, many of whom are not from Goa, of being the main culprits in flouting safety norms and disrupting the queue system. “We are adhering to the queue system, but these unorganized operators are not... Many high-profile Goan operators have sub-let this business to non-Goans who ignore all safety protocols and timing regulations,” he said.
TTAG President Jack Sukhija supported the queue system stating that the real challenge lies in streamlining entry and activity points.
“The queue system is a good solution, but the issue is managing entry and activity points. GTDC has the necessary experience, and they could start counters where tickets can be issued. There should also be options for spot online payments with a clear list of activities and equipment,” he suggested, urging the government to expedite the work.
