Tourism Dept in dire need of funds, laments Halarnkar

Tourism Dept in dire need of funds, laments Halarnkar
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 24
Tourism Minister Nilkhant Halarnkar has said the Tourism department is in dire need of additional funds to develop tourism infrastructure in the state and disclosed plans to revive the Food Festival.
During an informal chat with newsmen on a visit to the city, Halarnkar said he would call on the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat with a plea for a hike in budgetary allocation for the Tourism Ministry.
Justifying his stand, the Tourism Minister said that the state earns a revenue of around Rs 850 crore annually, adding that a significant portion of the revenue should go into the building of  tourism infrastructure. “Right now, the budgetary allocation for the Tourism department is hardly Rs 45-47 crore. This financial allocation is insufficient to meet the requirements when the department has to look after the security force, besides the beach management. There’s hardly any funds left to hold heritage festivals in the state”, he added.
Coming out in support of the heritage festival planned for Margao and Fatorda early next year, the Tourism Minister said the Tourism department will submit a proposal to the Chief Minister to explore the possibility of holding such festivals in other parts of the state too. “These festivals will only help to maintain the architectural heritage, but would help woo tourists to the state. The state faces competition from other tourist destinations such as Kerala and the state has to gear up to meet the future challenges”, he said.
Replying to a question, Halarnkar said he is not in favour of the involvement of the Tourism department in the maintenance of the historical forts in the state. When newsmen drew his attention to the Cabo de Rama Fort in South Goa which has been lying in ruins, the Tourism Minister said the historical forts, including the Cabo de Rama Fort need to be restored and maintained the archeological department. “The archeological department has funds at its disposal to take up such work. I am not in favour of the Tourism Minister involving itself with such works”, he added.
Meanwhile, Halarnkar said the Tourism department has decided to revive the Food Festival, adding that the government will hold the Food festival in February next year.