The Tourism Department taking note of some misleading observations appearing in local media has clarified on the draft jetty policy inviting suggestions and objections from the public to do away with misunderstandings, if any.

Themed Cruises including evening Boat cruises are one of the popular tourism related activities in the State, which are conducted using existing tourism jetties in the State such as Santa Monica Jetty (at Panaji), COP Jetty in Mandovi river (at Panaji), Britona Jetty, Betim Jetty and Old Goa Jetty. As on date, there are several issues in conducting tourism activities from these existing jetties, which are summarized as follows –  Promotion of illegal tout culture and cash sales leading to revenue leakages to State exchequer; Non-uniform ticket pricing for similar types of tourism related activities; Lack of basic amenities to the visitors like toilets, seating arrangement, waiting rooms, etc. which often leave them with bad experience; Lack of safety and surveillance on jetties for visitor protection like safety railings, frisking, CCTV cameras etc; Complaints from tourists regarding cheating and fleecing and poor service by some operators.

To address the aforesaid issues, Jetty Management Committee under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary (Tourism) is constituted by the Government vide order no. 3/1102/IDIHHT (2)/2014-DT/P.F./2460 dated 16.12.2016 with Director- Dept. Tourism, MD- GTDC, Captain of Ports, and industry representatives as its members had recommended for approval of “Jetty Policy” by the Government.

Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa being a nodal agency for framing policies and programs for the development and promotion of Tourism in the State invited suggestions from the general public on the proposed Draft Jetty Policy.

The purpose of this Jetty Policy is to recommend streamlining the theme tours including the evening boat cruises – to ensure good quality at a reasonable price for the purposes of creating good experience to the tourists; ensuring proper jetty facilities for tourism related activities including specifying and ensuring basic and necessary infrastructure at these jetties, garbage management etc; ensuring safety and security of visitors including frisking, CCTV etc. to avoid any accidents at these jetties; ensuring fair competition among tourism activity providers, including transparency in ticket pricing and adherence to taxation by all operators at all of the said Jetties and implementation of single window ticketing system for all said Jetty users, and to avoid any tourism activities from non-jetty areas like Campal etc. to avoid any kind of accidents to the tourists.

It was observed that the said policy is being wrongly interpreted, and several misleading statements have surfaced. In this regard, the following clarifications were provided on scope of Jetty Policy and its salient features which are – Jetty policy is only applicable to vessel operators and jetties being utilized for tourism purposes only. It is not applicable to private jetties, Coal handling, fishing related or Casino activities.  The proposed Jetty Policy is applicable only for passenger cruise vessel operators utilizing the jetty for tourism purposes and not for water sports operators. The licensing authority of the said Jetties in Goa vests with the Captain of Ports and the Jetty Management Committee (JMC) shall not be the owner of any jetty in Goa. Policy is applicable for regulating the tourism activities at only three existing jetties viz., Santa Monica Jetty at Panaji, Captain of Ports Jetty at Panaji, Britona Jetty, Betim Jetty and Jetty at Old Goa and there is no proposal of constructing additional jetties under this policy. This policy is also applicable for any new jetty to be utilized for cruise tourism purposes, as proposed by any Government Department in Goa and upon obtaining all approvals in near future. The Jetty policy is not applicable to any jetties owned by private person(s) / entities, and it excludes casinos, personal boats, barges, ferries and other transport vessels which do not cater to tourism and leisure segments. The Policy excludes fishing or coal handling etc. that do not cater to tourism and leisure segments.  The Policy does not envisage construction of any new Jetties nor does it extend any permission for construction of the same. Captain of Ports will remain the licensing Authority for construction of any new jetties in the state in future too. As the scope of policy covers only tourism activities conducted from existing jetties and doesn’t deal approval for construction of jetty or introduction of any tourism activities, this policy, which is for the purposes of regulating the activities only, does not require prior environmental clearance. The Jetty Management Committee (JMC), with COP as one of its members, via Jetty policy does not issue any permission for construction of any jetty on rivers and khazans of Goa. It only acts as an advisory body for evaluating the carrying capacity of a river, either by itself or through competent entities.

The carrying capacity will consider various aspects such as environment, technical, safety and economical aspects of introduction of any new vessel in a river for tourism purposes. COP will still remain as the licensing authority for approving any new vessel on any rivers in Goa. The policy intends to introduce a single window ticketing system for all operators utilizing the jetty for tourism purposes, developed by GEL to ensure transparency, ease of booking and to prevent fleecing of tourists by illegal touts. The practice of unregistered commission agents / touts for sale of tickets for tourism-centric activities by any vessel operator is discouraged. Institutional clients / Intermediaries such as hotels, OTAs / booking portals, travel agencies, etc. are allowed to purchase tickets on a bulk basis, at retail price. COP, being one of the members of Jetty Management Committee, has been a party in all the meetings of the said committee in the past including the discussions related to introduction of this policy. The suggestions made by COP were also duly incorporated in the policy document.

As the last date for receipt of recommendations has been extended till October 15, 2022, Department of Tourism urges all the stakeholders to review and provide their recommendations for the finalization of the aforesaid policy on the basis of merit and relevance.

Governor of Goa, Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai has conveyed his hearty salutations and warm wishes to the people of Goa on the occasion of Dussehra Vijayadashami.

In a message to the people, the Governor said, “Dussehra Vijayadashami, is the conclusion of 9 days of celebration of the Navratri festival. Though each region has a different spiritual connotation of this festival the underlying spirit of victory of the good over evil remains the same. The celebration of such festivals has played a remarkable role to integrate the people and maintain the unity and integrity of the country”. The Governor further added, “Today when the world is torn by the evils of intolerance, hatred and violence let us renew our commitment to the great values of tolerance, brotherhood and peace”.

He concluded wishing that, “The celebration of Dussehra this year brings greater peace, joy and prosperity to the people of Goa”.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) to give respect to Senior Voters and to acknowledge their continuous contribution to Electoral Process celebrated International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2022 by felicitating and personally addressing the 80+ Centenarian voters by felicitating them & handing over the Letter by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Rajiv Kumar.

 The Booth Level Officers across Goa personally visited the 80+ and Centenarian Electors and handed over the CEC Letter to the senior Matdata. The Electoral Registration Officer and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers visited the Centenarian electors in various parts of Goa, felicitated them and handed over a CEC letter addressed to the Senior Elector.

CEC in its letter has thanked the senior electors for their continuous contribution in the Electoral process and has stated that the Senior Electors have set an example for the youth through their zeal of participating in the democratic process and thereby strengthening Indian Democracy.

CEC has further appreciated our senior electors who have witnessed socio-political-economic dynamics; they have been a part of continuous Evolution mechanism thus strengthening the electoral process and making elections Free, Fair, Inclusive and Participative. The Election Commission of India salutes the strength, resilience and conviction of each of the senior voters for fulfilling their Democratic Duty towards the nation.

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer Goa has also appreciated the efforts of 80+ years and Centenarian Electors for creating a foundation for the future of Democracy by their continuous Commitment towards a stronger electoral process.

Goa records around 29000 electors with 80+ age group out of which 330 Electors belong to 100+ age group. All the BLOs received good response from the senior electors during their visit to felicitate the centenarian electors and 80+ age group voters.  The appreciation by the CEC through a personalized letter received overwhelming response by the Senior Voters. Many Senior Voters appreciated the efforts of  Election Commission of India for the last General Assembly Elections 2022 wherein postal ballot facility was provided to the 80+ electors and they also assured their participation in the upcoming electoral processes in future..

Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh, has recognized North Goa and South Goa districts as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified districts today at the Swachh Bharat Diwas .