MARGAO
Water sports operators from South Goa have questioned the condition sought to be imposed on them by the Tourism department through the new Jetty policy as and when the same is implemented in the state.
They have further expressed their strong reservations about the proposal that the government would collect the fees from the customers availing their water sports.
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai has slammed the government for coming out with conditions in the Jetty policy to displace the traditional fishermen involved in water sports operations and hand over the business to the corporates.
Monday saw a group of water sports operators from Salcete's coastal belt comprising Roy Barreto, Pele Fernandes, Remy Fernandes and others submitting a memorandum to the Goa Forward chief, highlighting their apprehensions and reservations about the new Jetty policy 2022.
While pointing out that they are open to the implementation of the queue system as per the High Court directions and put in place the highest safety standards, the operators, however, stated that the government should not bulldoze with the Jetty policy to displace the Goan operators.
Sardesai told the media that the apprehensions raised by the South Goa water sports operators are genuine as attempts are being made to hand over the business to the corporates from outside the State.
“Even Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte will not know where the jetties will come and who will run them, but it appears that certain corporates are already in the process of writing the policy,” he said, adding that the government appears on the job to sell what remains of Goa this year.
Demanding that the government gives the nod for the water sports operations in South Goa as well, Sardessai reminded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rooted for locals and this should not be circumvented by bringing in the jetty policy tailor-made for corporates.
Saying that Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in the past had alleged corruption in beach cleaning when he was part of the Opposition, Sardesai said he along with a delegation of South Goa water sports operators will call on the minister and submit a detailed memorandum.
He reminded the Tourism Minister that the water sports business is mostly run by the traditional fishermen by investing their money without any government support.
“Under the guise of the queue system, and ease of doing business, they should not be displaced,” he warned.
Questioning the condition that the operators will agree with the new jetty policy, Roy Barretto said they will sign the document and whatever they sign will not be prejudicial to their interests.
