Panaji: The Goa Tourism Department is contemplating an amendment to existing laws that will empower authorities to extern illegal touts frequently found loitering on the beaches.
State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has previously raised concerns about illegal touting on beaches. In continuation of this, State Tourism Director Kedar Naik on Friday chaired a meeting with the Shack Owners’ Association and the Police Department to discuss the issue.
Naik stated that the Tourism Department will propose an amendment to the Act to curb illegal touting. He added that habitual offenders will face stringent action, including externment from the district.
In another decision, the Goa Tourism Department has decided to take action against cases of dog bites on various beaches in the state.
Naik also chaired a separate meeting attended by representatives from the State Animal Husbandry Department, the Shack Owners’ Association, and the NGO Mission Rabies.
The meeting focused on the rising cases of dog bites on beaches. The Director stated that the Animal Husbandry Department and Mission Rabies have been instructed to intensify the sterilization drive for stray dogs on beaches.
He emphasized that both agencies will conduct this intensified drive over the next six months.
Naik noted that there has been an increase in complaints from tourists regarding dog bites, particularly on beaches like Colva and Benaulim in South Goa and Ozrant in North Goa.
