Goemkapronn desk
Porvorim: Taking an aggressive stand against the allegation by Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, the minister for tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte today said that Ferreira should provide evidence of Rs. One crore was spent on the Berlin travel of Khaunte’s OSD or withdraw the allegation. The aggressive stand taken by Mr. Khaunte in the assembly surprised Ferreira who fumbled and then explained that he meant a total of Rs. One crore was spent on the Berlin trade show.
Ferreira, the MLA from Aldona had alleged during a discussion in the assembly on financial demands of the tourism department Rs. 1.04 crore was spent on the OSD of the minister over the trip to Berlin. This allegation is false, Khaunte clarified before the assembly today, adding that Rs 6,50,057 was the actual spend on the OSD.
After the assembly meeting, Mr. Khaunte took a press conference in his chambers at Porvorim where he clarified that the post of the OSD was being treated as a clerk. Both my OSDs in the tourism and IT department have specialized experience in their fields. I cannot travel everywhere and hence sending my OSDs is my responsibility, Mr. Khaunte said.
Junket tours are where 3-4 department staff go. My OSDs perform several functions and duties on my behalf. They arrange important meetings with various stakeholders from the tourism sector, sign MoUs, make new arrangements, and meet airline companies. In the last two years, I have gone on these visits only a few times where my presence as minister of tourism is essential, explained Khaunte.
However, it is not possible for me to go every time and at such times the OSD goes on my behalf. To expand and develop tourism it is important to enter the emerging markets and we need new ideas and concepts to come forward. Hence young people are sent. There should not be any objection to this, Mr. Khaunte felt.
The OSD Shawn Mendes has completed his master’s degree and has experience of 16 years in the tourism industry, Khaunte said. I have the entire report from ITB Berlin. A total of Rs. 1.04 crores were spent on the event and only Rs. 6,50,057 was spent on the OSD. I have shut down junket tours and it appears that those employees who had gotten used to such tours are feeling the pinch, Khaunte said.
