Goemkarponn desk
CALANGUTE: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte charged that illegal touting needs to be stopped immediately, and CM Sawant’s intervention would be sought to ensure strict action.
“The business of illegal touting needs to be stopped immediately. The question is, why are the Police not acting against them? CM’s intervention would be sought to ensure strict action against the touts,’ said Khaunte.
He further said that Police have enough power to crack down and that he will ask for the necessary directions from the CM, ordering immediate action.
“The crackdown on illegalities like prostitution can be possible only after weeding out the touts from the tourism belt. It gives the sector a bad name and creates insecurity for the locals,” Khaunte asserted.
Khaunte further remarked that the Goa government is working to remove illegal touts who overcharge tourists and bring a bad reputation to the tourism industry.
“It is good that Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira have spoken about touts. I have been raising this issue for the last year. The question is why local Police are not acting,” he added.
The state-run Goa Electronic Limited is working towards providing a technological solution for the industry, especially for water sports, which will give tourists a better experience, Khaunte explained.
He further claimed that some legislators were trying to mislead water sports operators claiming that the state government wanted to privatise their trade.
“I assure you that the trade will not be privatised. On the other hand, by removing touts, we will make the business profitable,” Khaunte concluded.
