Delhi trip to hold the key; buffer zones, education also on agenda
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will leave for the national capital in the first week of June to press for the withdrawal of the notification based on Kasturiranjan Report and get some concession on the buffer zone limits, even as the Union Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar is expected to visit the State before that happens.
Besides this, Parrikar will also place issues pertaining to education which had already been enumerated earlier but no headway has been made, before the Centre.
On his first visit to the State after being appointed Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism and Culture, Shripad Yesso Naik said that his first priority viz a viz the State tourism sector would be to unclog the way and expedite all pending tourism projects allocated to the State.
Speaking briefly to the media amidst a rousing welcome by the local BJP leaders and cadres, Naik said that a high powered meeting would be held Friday with all stakeholders for which the additional union secretary for tourism was already in the State.
Promising to put Goa on the world tourism map, Naik said that tourism infrastructure would be improved.
The recent draft investment policy to be finalised shortly had already made it clear that the government would be trying to refocus its existing tourism policy and target high-end tourists. Also Wednesday, the task force on tourism had cleared projects amounting to around Rs 150 crore including beautification of the capital and a ropeway across the Mandovi River that by itself could cost Rs 78 crore.
Earlier in the day, Shripad Naik was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at Dabolim airport on Thursday evening, by South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, Power and Information and Publicity Minister Milind Naik, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, MLAs Subash Phaldesai and Rajan Naik, Tourism Director Nikhil Desai, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar and Satish Dhond. A large number of BJP workers were also present amid shouting of BJP slogans.
Speaking to media persons on his arrival at Dabolim airport, Naik stated that the government will stop road shows and finalise new plans to boost tourism in the State and in the country. “I will promote tourism in the hinterland of Goa and in every nook and corner of India,” stated Naik.
“By promoting tourism, I will improve the economy of the State and the country at large. I will do full justice to both the portfolios,” said Naik.
When Herald brought to his notice that other countries are tourist-friendly and provide hassle-free visas to tourists on arrival, Naik said the government will start issuing electronic visas to the tourists arriving in Goa, which will lessen the burden of the tourists seeking visas before arriving in the State.
When asked though the State and the Central governments spends crores of rupees on road shows but the outcome is nil, Naik said the government is promoting tourism in the State and the country through the road shows.
“The government will discontinue the road shows and will finalise a new plan to promote tourism so that new tourists visit Goa and India,” added Naik.
