MAPUSA
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte faced a barrage of criticism from the opposition during the Question Hour of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The opposition, led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, challenged Khaunte on the performance of the lifeguard agency Drishti and the effectiveness of the tourism department's international roadshows.
Alemao opened the debate by criticizing Khaunte for not initiating a new contract for a beach lifeguarding agency to patrol Goan beaches.
"The tourism department paid Rs 226 crores to Drishti over the past five years, yet 56 drowning deaths were reported from 2022 to 2024 in areas where lifeguards were stationed. Is the government satisfied with Drishti's performance?" Alemao questioned.
He also highlighted deficiencies in Drishti's equipment found during inspections and queried whether any penalties were imposed for these shortcomings.
Alemao described Drishti as a "big scam" and called for a judicial inquiry into the agency's activities under a retired High Court judge.
Khaunte defended Drishti, stating that the agency had saved approximately 1,237 lives over the past four years across 41 beach stretches in Goa.
He clarified that the reported deaths occurred outside lifeguards' working hours of 7 am to 7 pm or involved bodies washed ashore.
Khaunte dismissed the opposition's figure of 56 drowning deaths and noted that Drishti's contract, which ended on June 30, had been extended until a new tender is finalized within the next three months.
Other opposition members, including Congress MLAs Altone D’Costa and Carlos Ferreira and AAP MLA Venzy Viegas also participated in the debate.
In a related discussion, Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardesai criticized the tourism minister for excessive spending on international roadshows and promotional events.
He pointed out that the department spent Rs 63 crores on international promotions and Rs 30 crores in India.
Sardesai questioned the return on investment, citing multiple trips to Spain by the minister with no clear increase in Spanish tourists visiting Goa. He condemned the expenditure as wasteful and called for an audit of these events.
Sardesai also accused Khaunte of corruption, alleging that 60 per cent of the funds from roadshows and travel marts were misappropriated by the tourism department. He singled out "Sean Events," a PR agency, as the favoured contractor receiving prompt payments from the department, while other payments were delayed.
In response, Khaunte explained that participating in international roadshows was essential to showcase Goa to emerging markets, especially in light of the tourism impact from conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
He disclosed that other states, including Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, also attend these international events.
Khaunte emphasized the importance of serious B2B and B2C meetings during these events, with minutes presented to an empowered committee to decide the next course of action.
Khaunte assured the Assembly that the department is working to establish the best lifeguarding system and promised to release a new tender for beach lifeguarding services within three months.
