Day One: Nilkanth gives up on raves

Says can’t stop them immediately

PANJIM, JUNE 17
Stating that getting more and more tourists to the State would be his priority, the newly inducted tourism minister, Nilkanth Halarnkar said it is not possible to stop the rave parties immediately though he would make all possible efforts to bring an end to it.
In his first press conference after taking over the portfolios of Tourism, Ports and Housing, Halarnkar said his priority would be to get more and more tourist to this scenic destination.
Pointing to the reports that Goa was fast becoming rape capital due to the crime against female foreign tourist in the state, Halarnkar said he does not believe in that.
“I do not believe that Goa is India’s rape capital,” he said adding “I want to assure the tourists coming here that they are safe.”
“They can come and peacefully enjoy their vacation,” he said.
In this direction, he said, his priority would be to set up the tourist force as soon as possible.
“New tourism security force will be in place soon, which will increase patrolling on the beaches,” he said.
On his comments that he would ban the rave parties in State, Halarnkar said “it is not possible to stop the rave parties immediately though he would make all possible efforts to stop them.”
A section of press (not Herald) had reported quoting Halarnkar that if given the ministry he would bring an end to rave parties, in which drugs are served in the coastal belt.
However, Halarnkar today said it was not possible to crack the whip at once.
“The rave parties cannot be stopped at once. It has to be done over a period of time,” Halarnkar said.
The NCP leader said that the job to stop rave parties is of the Home ministry rather than the Tourism ministry. “The Home Department should stop them,” he said.
Halarnkar was inducted into the cabinet after Mickky Pacheco resigned following his questioning in the Nadia Torrado death case by the Crime Branch.
The Tourism Minister said the schemes implemented by former tourism minister Pacheco would continue.
“Government is a continuous process. The decisions once taken cannot be changed if minister changes,” he said.