Panaji: With authorities unable to crack down on illegalities that occur along the coastal belt, particularly touts and drinking on the beaches, the tourism department has moved to set up a tourism safety force. According to the draft norms, officers from Goa police will be deputed along with tourist guards to ensure safety of tourists and curb illegalities in tourism hotspots.
The move is part of the Goa Tourism Promotion, Management and Regulation Bill, 2023, that the tourism department plans to introduce in the monsoon session of the assembly.
Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte has repeatedly called for a dedicated tourist security force. The lack of manpower to patrol Goa’s 160-km coastline has allowed illegal activities to mushroom in the state.
“We have been talking about illegal touts and the need for a tourism security force but for this we need a law. The intent is to improve things and once we have a clear intent, the next step is to find how to do it. We will need the CM’s intervention to get it right,” said Khaunte.
Khaunte is right about requiring chief minister Pramod Sawant’s buy in since the tourist security force hinges on the deployment of Goa Police personnel and the blurring of lines between the police and the tourist security force. While the personnel will be from the Goa Police, tourism director will be responsible for the deployment of the tourism safety force and he will issue directions.
According to the draft Bill, the tourism safety force will have the power to arrest in case of a non-bailable and cognizable offences and have the power to conduct search and seize operations. The force will also be given powers to secure evidence, collect fines from touts and identify witnesses for certain offences.
“The govt shall appoint persons as tourist guards within and outside the tourism clusters…the tourist guards will assist the officers in the prevention of any crime against tourists and ensure their safety and security. They can also assist the local administration and the police in preventing drug trafficking, illegal liquor sale or illegal liquor consumption,” says the draft bill.
These powers are currently vested with Goa Police and the excise department which is why the bill says that the guards will have to “coordinate with all departments of the state” to ensure the safety and security of tourists.
“This is the requirement of the day. We will have to find a way and the manpower to handle things from an ease of doing business point of view and tourist point of view,” said Khaunte.
The move is part of the Goa Tourism Promotion, Management and Regulation Bill, 2023, that the tourism department plans to introduce in the monsoon session of the assembly.
Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte has repeatedly called for a dedicated tourist security force. The lack of manpower to patrol Goa’s 160-km coastline has allowed illegal activities to mushroom in the state.
“We have been talking about illegal touts and the need for a tourism security force but for this we need a law. The intent is to improve things and once we have a clear intent, the next step is to find how to do it. We will need the CM’s intervention to get it right,” said Khaunte.
Khaunte is right about requiring chief minister Pramod Sawant’s buy in since the tourist security force hinges on the deployment of Goa Police personnel and the blurring of lines between the police and the tourist security force. While the personnel will be from the Goa Police, tourism director will be responsible for the deployment of the tourism safety force and he will issue directions.
According to the draft Bill, the tourism safety force will have the power to arrest in case of a non-bailable and cognizable offences and have the power to conduct search and seize operations. The force will also be given powers to secure evidence, collect fines from touts and identify witnesses for certain offences.
“The govt shall appoint persons as tourist guards within and outside the tourism clusters…the tourist guards will assist the officers in the prevention of any crime against tourists and ensure their safety and security. They can also assist the local administration and the police in preventing drug trafficking, illegal liquor sale or illegal liquor consumption,” says the draft bill.
These powers are currently vested with Goa Police and the excise department which is why the bill says that the guards will have to “coordinate with all departments of the state” to ensure the safety and security of tourists.
“This is the requirement of the day. We will have to find a way and the manpower to handle things from an ease of doing business point of view and tourist point of view,” said Khaunte.
