A protest by vendors at the renovated Dona Paula jetty against a gate installed by the tourism department in order to charge an ‘entry fee’ led to political drama on Friday afternoon.
It is learnt that 76 vendors were asked to vacate the jetty area on the pretext of repairing it and they have now been left in the lurch. There is a fear that non-Goans will be given preference over Goans while allotting the space for carrying out business at the jetty.
After the renovation a few months ago the tourism department has gated the road leading to the jetty and tourists are charged an entry fee of Rs 25 for kids and Rs 50 for adults. The jetty has been open for the visitors over the years and there was neither a gate nor entry-fees were collected.
The decision to charge the fees needs to be revoked. A fee of Rs 25 for children seems very high when as a general rule children are not charged any fees. The local vendors who were displaced need to be relocated at the same place.
This is unwarranted and the jetty should be left open at all times as a place for sightseeing and relaxation. Will the government next charge fees for entering the beach-front?
