PANJIM: A large number of people on Friday protested outside the office of the Tourism department at Patto-Panjim demanding the immediate scrapping of the draft Jetty Policy 2022.
They alleged that the jetty management committee had included stakeholders having commercial tourism interests and feared that the draft Jetty Policy will displace traditional fishermen and locals with the expansion of jetties.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged that under the Sagarmala project, the government is trying to bring 137 million metric ton of coal to Goa. He said that Congress will oppose the Jetty Policy and charged that those who drafted the policy were not specialized and not equipped to handle the policy.
The protestors feared that the Jetty Policy will destroy the livelihood of the people and that the expansion of jetties was to bring coal.
On the other hand, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte claimed that the draft Jetty Policy is meant for tourism-related activities and clarified that it had no mention of coal, fishing, and allied services. He said that draft policy is mainly to weed out illegalities and bring legality. Appealing to the people to first understand the Jetty policy, Khaunte said, “Goa Tourism is facing threat from neighbouring States and we have to get our act together.”
The Minister further added that the department of tourism has extended the time to submit their suggestions and objections if any to the Draft Jetty Policy till October 31.
