Members of the Small and Medium Hoteliers Association brief the media.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Tourism stakeholders under the banner of the Small and Medium Hoteliers Association have red-flagged the proposed Tourism Bill, terming the Bill as not only "draconian", but "anti-Goan".
The small hoteliers pointed out that the tourism sustainability fee proposed in the Bill will spell doom for the stakeholders, including tea stalls as the Bill has proposed a two per cent fee as the sustainability fee.
“On every bill, whether it is on a cup of tea or snacks, the government has proposed to levy the two per cent Tourism sustainability fee. We are opposed to this Bill and the fees proposed to be levied on the stakeholders, including tea stalls, small and medium hotels,” asserted Association President Santosh Divkar.
He further informed that the new Bill has proposed re-registration of all hotels and tourism establishments, including restaurants, tavernas and tea stalls by paying a fee. The Association also took strong objection to the provision of penalty, wherein a fine of Rs 10 lakh is proposed to be levied on any violations.
“If the illegal touts can get away with any violation by paying a fine of Rs 10,000, why this hefty Rs 10 lakh fine on the legal and registered tourism establishments,” Santosh stated.
“The establishments will also be required to register with the department to conduct events with 25 or more people. This means that all the restaurants and hotels will have to register with the department for events such as birthdays, Christmas parties, dances etc. The Bill mandates registration with the department. Violators are proposed to be punished with a fine of Rs 10 lakhs,” he said.
He added: "They have proposed to establish a Tourism Force to deal with tourism-related issues. This force will be armed with powers to arrest without a warrant. They will be empowered to inspect sans a warrant. If the Bill is passed, everyone will be affected by the proposed two per cent fee."
Association vice-president Dixon Vaz said the government take the stakeholders into confidence before introducing and passing the Bill. “First hear our grievances before bringing the Bill. As it is, the tourism industry is passing through a difficult phase. Tourists fear to enter the beach belt because of the stray dog menace,” Dixon said.
Association member Vivek D’Silva said the government has given time till July 6 for the stakeholders to give suggestions. “How can anyone give suggestions within 21 days when the document comprises of 45 pages? This Bill is draconian in nature. Non-compliance of the provisions would mean that even a photographer or a tea stall owner or a guest house owner will be liable to pay a fine of Rs 10 lakh”, he said, demanding to know whether those going to a tea stall will henceforth be called as tourists since they will be charged Tourism sustainability fee by the government.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward Chief MLA Vijai Sardesai has slammed the Tourism department for proposing a Tourism Sustainability fee for small tourism stakeholders.
“This is happening because every Minister is functioning like a Chief Minister. There is no accountability. What is the Tourism Minister trying to achieve by levying the Tourism Sustainability fee? Is he planning to increase the forest cover or go for Vanmahotsav programme? Why is the department proposing to collect two per cent feel when they are paying 28 per cent GST?” Sardesai questioned.
Promising to raise the issue in the forthcoming Assembly session, Sardesdai said the government is behaving worse than the Portuguese dictator Salazar. “I called up Chief Minister Pramod Sawant just to find out what exactly is this Tourism sustainability fee. The stakeholders need to be taken into confidence,” he asserted.
