PORVORIM: Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao and Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte crossed swords over payment of Rs 226 crores to Drishti Lifesaving between 2020 to 2024 and 56 drowning deaths occurring between 2022 to 2024.
Raising his query during Question Hour on Wednesday, Yuri questioned why Drishti’s contract was extended and why it was not retendered. Why so much MOG towards Drishti, he questioned.
Khaunte said there were only 29 drowning death and the rest were body retrievals. He explained that Drishti’s won the tender and the contract was from 2008 for another 5 years. In 2014 again Drishti qualified and got the contract for life saving till 2019. In 2019 it was again extended by 6 months and then again for two and half years. When our government came to power in 2022, the contract was under extension. Rohan assured to retender the life saving contract within 3 months.
“They are doing a commendable job and doing it in a nice way,” Rohan said.
Yuri persisted in asking his question why their contract was sought to be renewed when there were 56 deaths. Rohan countered by saying there were only 29 deaths and the rest were body retrievals.
Rohan also stated that most of the drownings were taking place before 7am and after 7pm when the lifeguards were not on duty. He also said that some deaths were reported at dangerous places where there are no lifeguard and warning boards have been put in places such as Kerim, Tiracol where people climb on rocks to take selfies and unfortunately fall in the water in case a big wave comes.
Rohan also said that in the new tender it will be mandatory for the next entity which wins the bid to introduce latest technology in life saving.
BIG FIGHT: Rs 226 crores paid to Drishti over 4 yrs, but 56 deaths in 2 yrs
