PORVORIM: The Opposition on Monday attacked the government alleging that there is cabinet’s collective failure of responsibility as far as Tourism Department is concerned.
Speaking during the demands for Printing and Stationery, Tourism and Information Technology (IT), Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said it is a matter of concern that every international airlines is migrating from Dabolim airport to Manohar International Airport, Mopa, and if this continues then even five stars hotels will suffer badly.
He said there is no inter-departmental coordination as far as shack allotment process is concerned as in some cases applications are accepted in September.
He claimed that chartered flights are not coming to Goa as there is garbage everywhere.
He said Goa can be a Mauritius but the government has chosen to make it a hybrid of Somalia and Pataya.He also questioned work done by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) which should have been done by the Election Commission.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao asked: “How will tourism grow when tourism officials submit reports which look like compliance reports of event management agencies?
He pointed out that the tourism influx in the State reduced from nine lakh in 2019 to 1.9 lakh in 2023. He alleged that a lot of secrecy is being maintained so far as Sunburn is concerned as if this is a defence secret system.
“We will object to it and I think the government needs to come clear on it,” he said. Alemao said the Tourism Department must absorb all lifeguards recruited by Dristhi as there are reports that they are not paid well.
He said no action has been taken against the touts who are selling almost everything and indulging in all sorts of activities.
However, Rohan Khaunte assured the House all the households which have electricity and water connection will get Internet connection.
He also said that Tuem will have a cluster with new verticals with employment opportunities for the locals. He said the Goa Printing Press will be shifted to a sick unit or a plot as the current place is not capable of taking more modernisation.
“We have started modernising the department and for further modernisation the department needs to shift to a different place. We will speak to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and try to take a plot or a sick unit. There we are also planning to showcase machines of the Portuguese era. A museum can be built which can be a tourist attraction,” he said.
