PANAJI
The State government has set up a four-member committee to study whether a law can be drafted to prevent bathers from venturing into the sea after sunset as well as prevent other nuisances along tourist frequented areas such as, illegal hawkers, beggars and illegal camping in the open.
The decision was taken at a ‘high-level' meeting chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by stakeholders of the tourism industry as well as heads of concerned departments.
Speaking to media, Tourism Minister Manohar "Babu" Ajgaonkar said the government will also increase the presence of lifeguards, police personnel especially along famous beaches to tackle the problem.
"The committee will consist of a representative of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, the Shack Operators Association and other industry representatives and report to the government on whether drafting a law would be a solution," Ajgaonkar told reporters.
He said instructions to put in place several other measures have already been set out with tourism stakeholders being requested to warn tourists of the dangers of the sea, asking tourists who are heading to the beach at odd hours to turn back and road blocks.
"This is not dictatorship. It is only for the safety of tourists that such strictures will have to be put in place," Ajgaonkar said.
Ajgaonkar also said that other activities like camping and cooking in the open, leaving garbage behind as well as illegal hawking, begging, etc would be cracked down on.
Chief Minister had summoned the meeting to chalk out an action plan which would strongly curb various incidents like drownings, brawls, drunken driving, etc in the State.
The meeting was convened in the wake of various incidents of drowning deaths of tourists venturing into the sea after sunset, swimming in the sea and water bodies near various tourist destinations under the influence of alcohol, spate of brawls between tourists and locals deaths due to rash and drunken driving etc.
