Panaji: The unfortunate incident of death of a tourist at Candolim Beach and his wife getting injured after lightning struck them has raised questions on the much hyped Beach Safety and Life guarding Services of Tourism Department on which Government has spent almost Rs 141.50 crores in last five years, Congress said on Saturday.
Delhi based tourist had died on the spot while his wife was critically injured when lightening struck them at Candolim beach on Friday.
“The videos posted on various social media platforms and reports from eye witnesses has revealed that there were no rescue vehicles and stretchers available at Candolim Beach when the incident took place,” Chodankar said.
“The injured tourists were lifted by the public with bare hands and taken to the 108 Ambulance which was parked at a far away distance,” he said.
Chodankar demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should explain to the Goans whether Beach Safety and Lifeguard Services are available in Goa, as the reply given to the Goa Legislative Assembly by the Tourism Minister on August 17, 2019 has categorically stated that the contract of M/s Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd expired on June 30, 2019.
“The Lifeguard and Beach Safety contract makes it mandatory for the contractor to provide with Equipment/Infrastructure in good working condition during the contract,” he said.
“The Chief Minister should come clean on whether the emergency equipment, rescue vehicle etc were available on the beach when the lightning struck and tourist got injured,” Chodankar stated.
“It is mandatory for the contractor to have CCTV Camera coverage on the beaches and high power cameras installed for night surveillance,” he added.
The clarification about availability of Lifeguards and Beach Safety Services on beaches is very important and need of the hour for the benefit of the public as the tourist season has just commenced and the unfortunate incidence happened on the same day when the first charter flight landed in Goa, he said.
“It is high time that Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant should take note of the gross irregularities and mass corruption taking place in Tourism Department with the blessings of the Tourism Minister Manohar alias Babu Ajgaonakar,” he said.
“The Beach Cleaning scam is already with the Hon,ble Lokayukta who has ordered re-inquiry into the irregularities and I am sure that Beach Safety and Life guarding contract will soon come under his scanner.”
