* Says it’s necessary to maintain the project
* Khaunte also made a tender apology to MoS Shripad Naik for non inviting him to the jetty inauguration
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte today has justified tourist entry tickets at revamped Dona Paula jetty, claiming it was necessary for the maintenance of the project.
“All the projects are done under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the centre or from the state government funds. There are many such projects which the state government is restoring. The jetty, as you all know, was closed upon the directives from the High Court,” said Khaunte.
He further justified that entry ticket for tourists is necessary for the overall maintenance of the projects and that it does not fall as a financial burden for the state government.
“Once the project is over, it should be maintained, and the state government cannot continuously start putting up things,” he added.
Khaunte said that many tourist places charge tourists a nominal fee; at Agra fort, the entry is Rs 50, while at Fatehpur Sikri, it is Rs 40.
“Many places charge fees separately for Indian and foreign tourists,” he added.
Khaunte also apologized to the Minister of State, Shripad Naik, for not inviting him to inaugurate the jetty at Dona Paula.
“It is a serious concern for all of us, and such negligence is unacceptable. He is our union Minister and is fully supporting us in all the projects,” he added.
