Team Herald
PANJIM: The listing of six of Goa’s tourist locations, including protected monuments and forts under the Union Ministry of Tourism’s project ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme, has the State government claiming total ignorance about the project.
Expressing reservations over adoption of the sites by private players, Archives and Archaeology Minister Vijai Sardesai said the government was not taken into confidence. “State government has not been taken into confidence while giving Goan monuments for corporate adoption,” he told Herald.
What’s interesting is that the government is not even aware of the concept prompting it to call a meeting with all the concerned. “We need to know the status of the scheme. We are not aware of its nitty-gritty. We need to understand all this. I will hold a meeting with the Tourism Minister (Manohar Azgaonkar), Power Minister (Pandurang Madkaikar), local MLAs, Chief Secretary, officials of ASI (Goa Circle), Rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Parish Priest of Se Cathedral and representatives of the Archdiocese next week,” he said, conceding the source of information that monuments, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, have been listed for adoption by private players, became known to them through the newspapers.
“Basilica of Bom Jesus is a religious place of huge importance. The relics of St Francis Xavier are kept there. The Basilica is not just a place of cultural importance but also has religious significance,” he added. The minister also raised apprehensions that through such projects, in the garb of providing amenities, the entire place/structure could be taken over by a third party.
He went on to state that Cabo de Rama fort, also listed along with Aguada Fort and lighthouse for adoption, is already undergoing maintenance work by the State Achieves & Archaeology.
“We want the scheme to be well-defined. I want that the State government be taken into confidence along with the Church. These are assets of the State,” Sardesai said, adding that a further decision like approaching the ministry will be taken after a meeting next week.
Azgaonkar too expressed shocked over the development claiming that the State government is fully equipped to take care of its heritage structures. “We don’t need any help from corporates. Goans know what is best for them,” he said. The minister claimed that his department was kept completely in the dark over the issue.
However, Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd, which has been shortlisted as a ‘Monument Mitra’, claims they have not been given charge yet. The firm, that operates lifeguards service and beach cleaning, however concedes it had submitted an expression of interest.
“We have submitted an expression of interest under the Adopt a Heritage programme. Drishti Marine has not been given charge of any monument nor has any MoU been signed so far,” a statement by Drishti Marine to Herald said.
Herald tried speaking to the ASI officials in Goa but none were willing to comment, while Superintendent Uday Anand Shastri is said to be on leave.
Two companies – Drishti Lifesaving Private Ltd and V-Resorts – have been shortlisted to be ‘Monument Mitras’ in Goa, under the project that aims to develop the monuments, heritage and tourist sites across India by inviting corporate entities, public sector companies or individuals to ‘adopt’ them for a period of five years.
In phase II of the project Old Goa Church Cluster, Aguada Fort and Light House, Morjim Beach, Chapora Fort and Cabo De Rama Fort in South Goa are to be adopted by Drishti Lifesaving Private Ltd. While in Phase III Basilica Bom Jesus, Goa will be adopted by V-Resorts.
