PANJIM: Against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding his recent Dubai trip and the upcoming international road shows, Deputy CM and Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar has urged the tourism stakeholders to focus on enhancing the industry rather than indulging in criticism.
“I urge tourism stakeholders to refrain from criticism and work hard to bring discipline in tourism business in Goa and make Goa a tourist friendly destination,” the minister said in a press statement issued on Wednesday. Ajgaonkar slammed the Congress for unnecessarily creating a controversy over his tourism-related trips and blamed the party for misusing State funds during its previous tenure.
“Congress has a tradition of taking their kith and kin on foreign tours at the cost of government money and that may be the reason why Congress president Girish Chodankar must have felt that others do the same and hence has made baseless allegations against me,” he said adding, “All my official foreign tours are undertaken only after obtaining prior approvals and permissions from all concerned authorities. I always insist on maintaining total transparency in my departments.”
The minister has challenged his Opposition to obtain information under RTI regarding his family members touring abroad.
“I have tried my best to give boost to development of basis infrastructure needed at various tourist locations in Goa through Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Modi government with a budget of Rs 200 crore. Most tourist locations are being beautified with parking, illumination, toilets, changing rooms etc. I am working hard to make Goa world’s number one tourist destination and my vision is to promote Goa’s identity.”
Ajgaonkar, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that the Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Policy are in final stage and would be notified soon.
