When will the Tourism department wake up and side the people ?
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has demanded that the tourism department terminate the contract with Drishti life saving and take over lifeguard services on Goa’s beaches through the Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC).
Speaking at the Calangute beach promenade, where the striking lifeguards had gathered on Saturday afternoon, he said that it is unfair that the safety of tourists is being compromised due to Drishti’s negligence towards the lifeguards who, he alleged, are being mistreated by Drishti.
“All the equipment, lifeguard towers, jetskis, surf boards, jeeps, etc, all belong to the tourism department. Drishti only provides the management services. This can easily be done by the GTDC’s administrative staff, who, at present are hardly doing anything. I am going to take up this matter with the chief minister,” he assured the striking lifeguards. Around 300 striking Drishti lifeguards led by AITUC leader Christopher Fonseca staged a morcha on Calangute beach demanding that the government fulfill the assurances given to them.