TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Tourism Ministry is proposing to issue work orders for beach safety and beach cleaning within the next three weeks, while rubbishing rumours of attempts being made to scuttle the recently conducted tendering processes for both tourism- related services.
Speaking to Herald, a senior official from the Tourism Ministry said that there had been issues raised by unsuccessful agencies in the tendering process on beach safety.
“However the court has given the beach safety tendering process a clean chit,” said this official adding that there would be no re-tendering even as a fresh demand has been made to scrap the beach safety tendering process which was finalized in December last year.
Verification of various aspects for beach cleaning is also likely to be completed by January 10 “and we hope to issue the work orders by this month end,” said the official adding that work orders for beach safety services would also simultaneously be issued by end of January.
The delay in issue of work orders for beach cleaning and beach safety had raised eyebrows as the government had been assuring time and again to have agencies in place for beach cleaning and beach safety before the tourist season commenced in October 2013.
Issues pertaining to insurance and lifeguard salaries had also been raised as there seems to be no extension of contract granted to DSRS after December 31, 2013.
The Tourism Department clarified that the process was on to draw out its agreements with its selected agencies both of whom have experience in the respective fields of beach cleaning and beach safety.
In the meantime, the Tourism Department has presented before the Union Tourism Ministry its progress report on works being carried out by Goa under centrally sponsored schemes.
In a meeting in New Delhi Wednesday Goa has assured the Central ministry to submit utilization certificates for balance funds sanctioned to the tune of Rs 17 crore. “Utilisation certificates for central funds to the tune of Rs 22 crore were submitted two months ago and the balance amount of Rs 17 crore utilization certificates should be furnished by the end of this financial year,” said a top official in the tourism department.
The Tourism Department of Goa has been directed to submit fresh proposals for financial year 2014-15 after submitting all UCs for the previously sanctioned Rs 39 crore.
Sources said that the Union Ministry for Tourism expressed satisfaction over the progress of work under central funds and may grant extension of time for completion of the same.
Some of the projects include the cruise jetty project, multi level car parking, Baga beautification. work on the new Institute of Hotel Management, Goa Haat a handicrafts bazaar and Colva beautification is also expected to commence shortly.
