Department of Tourism to work out systems to ban supply of drinks in glass bottles on the beaches: Ajgaonkar

Panjim, Sept 5: Considering the demand from beach shack operators to ban Supply of drinks in glass bottles on the beaches, the Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar has directed the Department of Tourism to workout a mechanism to bring in the necessary measures within the ambit of the law.

This came following a meeting with beach shack owners on Monday when the Shack Owners Welfare Society called on Mr. Ajgaonkar to deliberate on various issues ahead of the season.

Led by Mr. Cruz Cardozo, President of SOWS, the association thanked Mr. Ajgaonkar for initiating steps for an early start to the process for shack allotment and licensing so that shack operator could begin business in time for the season.

The association also raised concerns over beach cleaning and urged the tourism minister to step up measures for effective cleanliness and monitoring of the same. The association also raised issues pertaining to safety and security of tourists on the beaches, illegal and unauthorized vending and touting etc.

During the discussions, Mr. Ajgaonkar also impressed on the shack operators to co-operate with the Department of Tourism with regards to cleanliness and hygiene on the beaches of Goa. Mr. Ajgaonkar sought the support from beach shack operators emphasizing on the importance of keeping the beaches clean at a time when the Department of Tourism is also initiating the process for setting up public conveniences like toilets, changing rooms, locker facilities under phase II of the Coastal Circuit development plan under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Mr. Ajgaonkar categorically stated that the governments will crackdown on activities such as promotion of drugs, illegal masseur activities, dance bars etc. Mr. Ajgaonkar urged the shack operators to be vigilant and co-operate with the Department of Tourism in this drive to crackdown against the anti-social activities in the coastal belt of the State.

Earlier, President of the Shack Owners Welfare Society, Mr. Cruz Cardozo suggested that the government ban supplyof drinks in glass bottles which would rid the beaches from the menace of glass bottles. He said that if the supply of drinks in glass bottles was banned and replaced by cans, it would nip the problem at the root.