NT Reporter Mapusa
Tourism and IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Friday that, while a committee is already in place to look into faults, there is a need for an umbrella mechanism to centrally monitor compliance across nightclubs, spas, and restaurants.
He said that times have changed and that laws also need to evolve, with amendments required, while replying to media questions on whether the state needs a specific policy to regulate nightclubs.
“While taking opportunity, we have to ensure that we are doing it in a sustainable manner, and everybody should take responsibility. Today there is a blame game. We need to understand issues; there has to be compliance,” Khaunte said.
On the impact of the Birch fire on tourism, he said that it was an unfortunate incident but also a collective responsibility. He said there was no major visible impact but said that all departments concerned must act responsibly and ensure compliance. He said data for November showed a higher inflow compared to last year and that Goa continued to be preferred as a holiday destination.
“There could be ups and downs due to the cancellation of Indigo flights. We have already discussed with the Airports Authority of India, which assured us that other airlines are informed so that gaps can be filled. We are positive that Goa will see higher footfall this year,” Khaunte said.
Responding to a recent statement by the Health Minister on not allowing nightlife after 12 am, Khaunte said, “Rane is our good friend. He may be busy with the work of the TCP department.”
He said that over the past three years, the government had focused more on spiritual tourism, along with sports and technological tourism, and that several initiatives had been taken in this direction.
Earlier in the day, the Goa Liberation Day flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the government complex in Mapusa, with Khaunte unfurling the national flag. He received the guard of honour and inspected the parade. Additional Collector, Bardez, Pundalik Khorjuvekar, Deputy Collector I Varsha Parab, Deputy Collector II Vasant Prasad Dabholkar, Bardez Mamlatdar Anant Malik and others were present.
