Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo questioned the increasing nuisance on the beaches, Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar asked the former to verify facts.
“I have convened several meetings with senior most officials of Goa Police, tourism stakeholders like shack owners, TTAG representatives etc to formulate, plan and streamline tourism activities at various tourist spots in Goa, particularly on the beach front. One of the meetings was chaired by the Chief Minister of Goa (Manohar Parrikar) wherein a special committee was constituted to look into the issues concerning safety and security of tourists and to advise the government accordingly,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.
The minister said it was unfortunate that Lobo has not taken note of his actions ‘before criticising me and the tourism department in the media.’ Recalling Lobo’s earlier outbursts, the Tourism Mnister said that he had requested Lobo to feel free to discuss matters with him.
Azgaonkar hit out at Lobo for singling him out for the nuisances on the beaches recalling that at a recent meeting he got copies of the notification which empowers the Police Department to act against illegal hawkers and instructed senior police officials to act immediately.
With regard to children and girls being used on the beaches, he informed Lobo that the matter rests with the Home Department and that he (Lobo) should take up the matter seriously with the Home Department so as to live up to the expectations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Abhiyan.
Herald contacted a senior police officer in the North district who assured resuming a crackdown on illegal activities. “We have been taking action but of late, lady constables were posted in another division because of which rescue operations were temporarily halted. Since many illegal hawkers are girls, we need to take every precautionary measure. We will resume raids this weekend with the help of concerned NGOS,” the officer said.
