Goa: Jetty policy only after all objections considered, says minister

PANAJI: Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said on Friday said the October 31 deadline for objections and suggestions for the proposed tourism jetty policy will not be extended again. He said that the draft would be finalised only after discussing it with MLAs and others who raised objections.
The tourism department has received over 100 objections. “We will not rush with the policy. Compilation of suggestions received is underway,” said Khaunte.

The deadline was extended twice in the face of the objections and protests by green activists, fishermen’s bodies, and political parties. A bike rally was held in the city on Sunday against the proposed policy.
Meanwhile, Congress functionary Amarnath Panjikar objected to the tourism minister’s reported statement that most of the objections received by the department against the proposed policy were “cut and paste” work.
Khaunte has maintained that the policy has been planned to regulate activities at the jetties under its domain — mostly cruise ride operations — with the Santa Monica jetty receiving maximum footfalls.
Khaunte said that the government wants the policy to curb illegalities, regulate the functioning of all vessel owners /operators, and wipe out the presence of touts. The policy also proposes facilities for visitors.
Green activists and fishermen’s bodies are apprehensive about the proposed policy. They believe the agenda of the tourism ministry may be different, and they say the policy is vague and not substantiated by data.
The draft proposes a jetty management committee, which will be responsible for identifying the carrying capacity of any river in Goa, and regulating the number of vessels that may be allowed.