from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)
Panaji, Aug 29: The state tourism ministry on Friday August 29 drew flak from the opposition benches for not developing the tourism infrastructure resulting into dwindling tourism growth in the state.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Vijai Pai Khot, during the question hour in the state legislative assembly this morning, pointed out that the tourism growth in the state is on decrease and tourists may not repeat their visits in absence of proper infrastructure and new tourist places.
He said that such a decrease would affect the tourism industry, which is a major backbone of state's economy.
The figures placed in the state legislative assembly said that in 2005, 23, 02,146 tourists visited the state, in 2006, 24, 79,068 and in 2007, 25, 97,443 guests arrived.
The opposition benches including leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar stated that the tourism ministry is not doing enough to control the decline.
The tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco conceded that due to fund constraints, the department has not been able to upgrade the existing tourism infrastructure. "We are maintaining the beaches and monuments very well," the minister added.
Parrikar, however, pointed out that the state tourism department has utilized hardly Rs 7 crore from the central funds of Rs 84 crore available for the tourism infrastructure.
The opposition benches also castigated the department for increasing deaths due to drowning on state's beaches.
Pacheco said that the state is drawing a comprehensive plan involving private firms on the beach safety management.