Interim beach cleaning plan in next two days Azgaonkar

  • | Friday | 16th November, 2018

Panaji: The government is in the process of drawing up a temporary plan to tackle the immediate beach cleaning crisis looming across the state.Drishti Lifesaving had discontinued its beach cleaning services after its contract ended on Monday. It also refuted the tourism minister’s claims that they withdrew at a time when the season is at its peak.“We have no work order to conduct any beach cleaning services. The first work order was issued in May, 2017. This was done in good faith and a reflection of our commitment to working with the government of Goa,” the official said.“Drishti is committed to ensuring a positive beach environment. “However, it was not possible to maintain the large workforce and fleet needed to run the entire service without clarity as our contract had ended,” the agency stated.

Panaji: The government is in the process of drawing up a temporary plan to tackle the immediate beach cleaning crisis looming across the state.Drishti Lifesaving had discontinued its beach cleaning services after its contract ended on Monday. Tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar on Thursday issued a statement assuring to keep Goa’s beaches clean by putting in place interim measures until the tendering process is completed for appointing a new agency.“The tourism department will work out a solution within a day or two, and cleaning of important beaches will be undertaken on top priority immediately,” Azgaonkar said.He said the tender has been floated for the appointment of a new beach cleaning agency, while Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC)’s project cell will assist the department in taking up cleaning of important beaches. An action plan involving deployment of labourers to undertake this task is expected to commence within the next two days, he stated.“Everything will be on track as soon as possible, and I will also ensure that a permanent solution is found at the earliest. An agency will soon be put in place through a foolproof and transparent tendering process,” he stated.On Wednesday, the tourism minister chaired a high-level committee meeting which was attended by Sheo Pratap Singh, secretary, tourism; Sanjiv Gadkar, director of tourism; Nikhil Desai, managing director, GTDC, and other officials.The question, however, arises is why did the tourism department delay in taking necessary steps when it was clear that Drishti’s contract was ending this month.Drishti said it had given a notice to the department stating that its work order was ending on November 12, 2018. It also refuted the tourism minister’s claims that they withdrew at a time when the season is at its peak.“We have no work order to conduct any beach cleaning services. As the previous work order expired, we have received no further intimation or request to continue services till date,” read Drishti’s statement.A Drishti official said that it took up the responsibility “following a request from the highest authorities at a time when the situation was urgent.”“Drishti started work the day it got instructions, with no work order. The first work order was issued in May, 2017. This is five months post commencing our work. This was done in good faith and a reflection of our commitment to working with the government of Goa,” the official said.“Drishti is committed to ensuring a positive beach environment. “However, it was not possible to maintain the large workforce and fleet needed to run the entire service without clarity as our contract had ended,” the agency stated.

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