The government has decided to upgrade the tourist security force in order to keep a better check on illegal activities on beaches and other tourist spots. The state cabinet has decided to recruit 50 personnel to the force.
Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar told reporters that the government has created 50 posts under the tourist security force including 33 for tourist wardens, 6 for taluka supervisors and chief tourist security, all of whom will comprise ex-servicemen, 19 tourist warden drivers, one upper division clerk and four lower division clerks, all of whom will comprise local civilians.
The posts have been created for a period of one year.
“Posts have been created to keep better control on illegal activities on beaches. Forces will also be sensitized in ways to control child abuse, if any, in the state,” Parsekar said and added that in short the force is meant for the security of the tourist.
Sources said the tourism department was unable to post tourist security force personnel at all tourist destinations as the force lacked staff and at times could not attend to complaints with regards to nuisance, malpractice and illegalities carried out by private shack owners, water sports operators, etc. This prompted the department to move a proposal before the state cabinet for upgradation of the force, the source added.
The tourism department has identified 42 beach stretches and other locations where to deploy tourist security forces. “In order to provide safety and security at all tourist destinations it is essential to fill the gap and carry out duties allotted to the staff of tourist security force,” the cabinet note said.
The state is earning a bad name over security incidents involving women and as such it has become the need of the hour to put in place a system to ensure that tourists enjoy themselves in Goa free of any type of harassment, a source in the tourism department said.