PANJIM: The State has insisted that relaxation in visa norms and lowering of GST will boost the tourism sector. Both the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar made this assertion after pointing out that post the mining closure, Goa’s revenue collection has been heavily dependent on tourism. They conceded that tourism is the only industry, which is surviving after the shutting down on the mining operations. 

    “After mining, tourism is the only industry which is surviving. We are getting direct and indirect revenue from the industry. It however depends on the stakeholders on how to grow the industry,” said the CM. 

He added that the govt has created 60 to 70 per cent infrastructure in the sector. “The government can provide the infrastructure. We have managed to create 60 to 70 per cent infrastructure. We have to make it 100 per cent,” he further stated. 

He stressed on the point that Goa should not be dependent on outsiders for tourism services. “In the tourist service, we have more than 50 per cent outsiders. We want that more Goans should be involved. We have seen several industries that have gone out of hand and we are facing bad consequences because of it. That is why, we should make sure that the tourism industry is in our purview,” he added. These speeches were made in the presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel who was present for the inaugural function of various tourism infrastructure projects. 

Ajgaonkar, throughout his speech reminded Patel about the State government’s requirement for additional grants from the Centre, in order to create more infrastructure on the tourism front. 

“We are dependent on the Centre for funds because mining is closed. We need money for all the works, we are carrying out. We need revenue to make Goa one of the best tourist destinations. You (Centre) have granted us a lot of funds but we need more… the tourists will be attracted to Goa based on the facilities we create for them,” he stated. 

Ajgaonkar went on to state that Patel should speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for granting additional funds. To this, Patel, during his public address, assured to provide Coastal Circuit 3 grants after the utilisation of funds, allotted under the Coastal Circuit 2 grants. 

The CM as well as the tourism minister took this opportunity to also highlight that tourism stakeholders have been demanding lowering of GST and easing of visa norms at Dabolim international airport, in a bid to increase inflow of the tourists. The matter, CM said, will be raised before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the GST Council meeting.

The govt was also speaking about encouraging quality tourists rather than depending on the quantum that are spoiling the image of the State. 

Earlier, the MoS and CM held a meeting.  Sawant said that Patel has assured a grant of Rs 10 crore for the development of State of the Art Museum for Goa along with assistance of new Ravindra Bhavan through the central scheme.