MARGAO: 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.
Forget tourism put it on a hold and first clean Goa of its criminal elements, Garbage and overflowing sewers. The next main attraction in Goa to be cleaned is the shanty towns sprouting in almost every village.
ReplyDeleteThis is another ploy to keep cash flowing in the hands of the tourism department. The Minister should be able to clarify how much is spent on foreign trips of the officials, provided with solid justification and how it benefitted Goa.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the statement of the Minister says that that the state earns a revenue of around Rs 850 crore annually and the budgetary allocation for the Tourism department is hardly Rs 45-47 crore. So where does the other income of over 800 crores goes? We do not see improvement but degradation of the facilities. Even the high masts erected on every beach in Goa does not light as it need replacement of lamps or proper maintenance. The accommodations called different Residency run by Tourism department are in shambles. Government should be able to explain to the public where the money goes as this is public money and not Congress money. As long as these 40, same faces, same chors rule Goa, do not expect a sudden change.
The best option is to change these 40 Chors and bring in new faces. Do not expect money to vote and spread the message, yes we will vote but not for money. Yes we will vote but for clean people, first timers from outside the present political families, for people with real backbone. Vote for Niz Goenkars.
Does this Minister know the meaning of "infrastructure"? Or he is just reciting what is told to him like one Popot? Is Food Festival, heritage festival, etc. according to him infrastructure?
ReplyDeleteArre Zoddia; When Natinal Geographic has already placed Goa as the one of the 10 worst beach destinations, does it not occur that changing that status will bring in more International tourists? Or are you expecting ghanti tourists who come, create trouble, and mess up Goa?
Goa is already stinking with Garbage, polluted water resources, power failures, unmotorable roads,reckless traffic, diseases brought in by ghanti workers, thefts and sexual assaults on tourists, etc., etc. Check these first. These are infrastructures.
Festivals, yes, it will only fill your pockets.
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