In last 3 years Goa spent 61.36cr on beach safety

In last 3 years Goa spent 61.36cr on beach safety

Dated: Jul 29, 2012

PANAJI: The safety belt on the beaches come with a huge cost to the exchequer. For, every tourist who jumps into the water for joy puts his/her life in danger. Lifeguards have managed to save many lives on the coastline, but they account for 30% of the budgetary allocation for the Goa tourism department during the last three years.

Of the 214.85 crore allocated to the tourism department during 2009-12, 61.36 crore has been paid to Drishti for providing lifeguard services and night patrolling on some beaches in Goa.

This was revealed by tourism minister Dilip Parulekar in reply to a starred question of Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.

The tourism minister stated that the equipment were inspected by the captain of ports and certified as “fit for operation.” Also, the officials of the department of tourism inspected the beaches to confirm the physical existence of the equipment.

Parulekar stated that no extension of lifeguard contract has been done so far, but night safety patrol contract has been extended. The night safety patrol contract has been extended for three different terms so far, he added.

src: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-29/goa/32922736_1_tourism-department-drishti-beaches