Panaji, June 5 2023: Highlighting the shocking allegations of rampant corruption and bribery within the Tourism Department by a prominent shack owner, AITC National Spokesperson Trajano D’Mello, Goa TMC Youth Coordinator Anthony Peixoto and IT Coordinator Tanoj Adwalpalkar demanded the BJP-led government to immediately initiate a judicial inquiry into the allegations within the Tourism Department during a press conference at the party office.
Slamming the BJP-led government for casting a dark shadow over the integrity and transparency of the Tourism Department, Trajano D’Mello said, “The allegations suggest that officials from the Tourism Department have been unlawfully demanding bribes and harassing shack owners. Despite clear instructions from the Tourism Minister to file an FIR and would initiate a judicial inquiry if required, no action has been taken so far as per my knowledge. It raises serious concerns about the BJP government’s commitment to addressing corruption in the state.”
Holding the Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte accountable for failing to initiate formal investigation, D’Mello said, “What does the failure to file an FIR mean? Why has the FIR not been filed till date?” He further asserted, “If the Minister accepts the gravity of the charges, it is essential to have an unbiased body conduct the investigation.”
Launching a scathing attack against the Tourism Minister for rampant touts in the coastal belt, D’Mello said, “The presence of touts is not limited to Calangute alone, yet no MLA from the coastal belts has come forward to claim tout-free region. In Calangute, Pablo Escobar and the political thug are fighting to control everything, do touts exist only in Calangute?” He added, “In my opinion all the other MLAs have been fixed apart from Pablo Escobar”
Drawing our attention towards the unresolved app-based taxi service issue, D’Mello stressed, “The matter has remained unresolved for five years. The Transport Minister has openly stated his refusal to accept the new proposed mobile app presented by the Tourism Minister. The BJP government is expecting taxi drivers to use the app without proper safeguards and the Transport Minister categorically stating that he would not accept it.” Questioning the BJP-led government’s hidden agenda, he added, “While they aimed to transition taxi drivers to the app mode, they still enforced the mandatory installation of meters.”
Recognizing the need for a comprehensive examination of the allegations, D’Mello emphasized, Goa TMC demands a judicial inquiry with wider terms of reference. The inquiry should encompass various aspects, including the issue of rampant touts and the controversial introduction of a second app when an established one called ‘Goa Miles’ already exists.