GTDC selling Goa to Non-Goans: GSRP Condemning the action of leasing out 53,000 sqmts of Vagator by the Goa Tourism Department Corporation (GTDC), Goa Su-Raj Party (GSRP) to lead a people's agitation to protest against the decision of the BJP-led Goa government. "GTDC is selling Goan land to Non-Goans under the guise of promoting tourism. If at all GTDC intended to create tourism infrastructure at Vagator, it could have worked along with Goan hospitality and tourism companies to conceptualize and develop different tourism infrastructure at this beach destination," expressed Floriano Lobo, general secretary, GSRP.
The Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC) has leased out a stretch of 53,000 sq m on the shores of Vagator to two Delhi-based hospitality companies to run a 'model tourism-entertainment zone' for a period of 22 years. The GTDC land, which is adjacent to the beach but falls within the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) was leased through an open tender in 2012. "The Goa government in particular the GTDC appears to be in favor of Non-Goan companies bagging contracts in tourism-related infrastructure. Even in the Amphibious/Helipad Services - a Goan businessman through his international company filed an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the job and even fit the profile, yet without any intimation, even though he had an EoI, GTDC awarded the job to yet another Non-Goan company. Look at the Lusofonia 2014 games as well, instead of a Goan company handling the Opening and Closing event, Goa government decided to give the Rs 20 crore contract to Percept, whose Sunburn event has been constantly under cloud," elaborated Savio Rodrigues, Secretary & President (Youth Affairs), GSRP. Tourism is the backbone of Goa's economy. However instead of the local companies benefiting the government is more confident of Non-Goan companies doing a better job than local companies. "The BJP-government and GTDC have surely received massive kick-backs from these companies to lease-out the beach-land to Non-Goans as local Goans companies cannot afford to pay such huge kick-backs. An inquiry must be conducted to find-out whether the already tainted Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar received any kick-back to pass this project," stated Rodrigues. Sd/- Savio Rodrigues Secretary & President (Youth Affairs) Goa Su-Raj Party Mob: +919764447313 --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
