Team Herald
Panjim: Deputy Speaker and Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo on Monday urged Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to bring in an amendment to the Tourist Trade Act in a bid to impose a fine on tourists drinking on beaches and causing nuisance in the State, during the forthcoming winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Lobo met Parrikar post Assembly’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, wherein the former pointed out the urgency to introduce the amendment to the Act to bring in necessary discipline in the tourism sector.
Speaking to media post meeting, Lobo said he has spoken to Chief Minister for a need to amend the Tourist Trade Act to bring required discipline in the tourists. “The Act is already there but we need little amendment to it like imposing fines on those drinking on beaches and tourists causing nuisance,” he said.
Lobo said the Chief Minister has issued directions to Chief Secretary to work out the required amendment so that the same can be tabled in the coming session. The three-day long winter session of the State Assembly will begin from January 29.
Lobo, had recently expressed his complete displeasure the way tourism industry is heading. He had blamed the Chief Minister for failing to issue necessary orders to curb the nuisance.
“Tourism Department is responsible, but the chief minister is responsible more for nuisance on beaches and low-grade tourist arrivals. I say CM is responsible 100 percent as he should have brought the necessary orders to fine such tourists and he has not done it, despite I reminding him 150 times,” he said.
“The tourists are creating nuisance in public areas, footpaths, promenades, parking lots. Lots of them just park their vehicles remove cylinders and start cooking. Are we going to allow this to continue? Is Goa this kind of a tourist destination?” Lobo had added.
