Panjim, December 23 — With the tourism season at its peak, the Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar recently convened a high level meeting and directed for strong police deployment at all beaches and tourist spots across the State to curb varied nuisances that continue to haunt tourists visiting Goa.
Mr. Ajgaonkar took strong note of issues concerning tourism especially on the beaches in particular, and stated that he has been receiving complaints from visitors and locals at regular intervals. He directed the Goa Police to take stern and immediate action against all unauthorized activities, hawking etc, along the beach belt. He also directed the wardens appointed by the Dept. of Tourism not to turn a blind eye to illegalities and also warned of action if anyone among them was found conniving with the violators.
Interacting with senior officials from Goa Police and the Department of Tourism, Mr. Ajgaonkar categorically said, “I do not want Goa to earn a bad name for any reason whatsoever.”
During the hour long deliberation, Mr. Ajgaonkar reiterated time and again that illegal activities by hawkers will be clamped down heavily not only on the beaches but at all tourist spots.
He also stated that shacks operating on the beaches have to follow all guidelines in letter and spirit.
“I have instructed the concerned officials to take stringent action against hawkers and illegal activities on the beaches and tourist spots under section 34 of the Tourist Trade Act and I have also directed the Department of Tourism to suspend licenses of shacks not adhering to guidelines of the Dept. of Tourism.”
Mr. Ajgaonkar took note of suggestions from the officials for issuing identity cards to shack operators and their staff. It was also suggested that workers at shacks should be asked to wear uniforms. Likewise the government will take up the installation of CCTV cameras at beaches at the earliest.
It was also proposed to appoint beach wardens in-charge on every beach and their names and contact numbers to be published in the local media to enable people to connect with them as and when required.
The meeting was attended by Mr. S.P. Singh, Secretary Tourism, Govt of Goa, Mr.Menino D’souza ,Director Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Mr.Nikhil Desai, MD, GTDC, Mr. Shekhar Prabhudesai, SP, Headquarters,Mr. Arvind Gawas, SP,( south), Sunita Sawant, DYSP, Jiuba Dalvi, PI, Calangute, Sandesh Chodankar, PI, Pernem and others.
