Drishti wants to recruit 120 more lifeguards

Drishti wants to recruit 120 more lifeguards
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 11
Drishti Special Response Services (DSRS) which handles Goa’s beach safety management programme has submitted a proposal to Tourism Department for recruiting 120 more lifeguards.
“More lifeguards are needed as it is not possible to cover all the beaches with existing strength of 450 lifeguards,” said V K Kanwar, DSRS Chief Operations Officer adding that if the proposal is accepted they would be able to cover smaller beaches which have been left out so far.
When contacted Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik confirmed that they have received a proposal from Drishti wanting to recruit 120 lifeguards but no decision has been taken as yet.
The department will have to bear additional expenditure of Rs 2-3 crore in addition to the contract amount when it signed five years agreement with Drishti in June 2008.
“We need to consider all financial implications before granting permission to recruit more lifeguards,” said Naik even as he maintained that so far they haven’t decided anything about the proposal.
Besides, expense of salaries and allowances, the department has to bear expenditure on purchase of equipments and their maintenance.
As per the original contract, Drishti was required to provide services in two sectors — sector 1 includes – Baga-Calangute-Candolim-Sinquerim and Sector 2 – Velsao-Arrosim-Utorda-Majorda-Betalbatim-Colva-Senarbatim-Benaulim.
It was agreed that in the event additional sectors are to be included, then, the same shall be permissible and agreed upon the subject to written agreement between the parties.
Also if more lifeguards are recruited, Kanwar said, they will be able to open more swim zones.