“There is a major scam, and corruption in the department. In 2011, a heritage festival was held at Margao and as per information, seven agencies are empanelled for the same. But there was a noting… and minister called only three agencies out of the total on the list…” he said on the floor of the House during demands for grants on tourism department. The MLA demanded a reply from the Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar.
“Will it (corruption) stop or continue,” a combative Kandolkar questioned, and sought to know whether a First Information Report will be registered against the guilty.
Later, alleging that the trips are a mere eyewash, Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai demanded an inquiry into foreign junkets and study trips, while suggesting that any tourism promotion activities should be video graphed.
“This is a colossal waste of money, as in several instances the tourism-related agencies and commercial establishments where the Goan delegation claim to visit, they actually don’t go there but return to Goa after taking visiting cards from them,” Khandolkar alleged while speaking during demands for grants on tourism department on Thursday.
“Show me the evidence (about conducting tourism promotional activities abroad),” he asked the tourism minister on the floor of the House. “This is a scam.”
He said that he had compiled documents to prove his allegations against the department and these would be submitted to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. He also reiterated his demand for an inquiry into the foreign trips, failing which he will approach other authorities.
BJP’s Calangute MLA Michael Lobo sought clarity on the visa-on-arrival facility and also urged the government to promote traditional festivals of Goa and hinterland tourism along with the interior villages, while also protecting beaches from all types of garbage. He nonetheless appreciated government’s initiatives towards the betterment of the coastal stretch and recently approving comprehensive beach cleaning project.
In the same breath, he urged the legislators including ministers to make responsible statements that do not affect Goa’s tourism prospects.
u A major scam of Rs 1.45 cr alleged
u Probe sought into foreign junkets, study trips
u Tourism activities sought to be video graphed
u Clarity sought on visa-on-arrival facility
