Team Herald
CALANGUTE: Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira on Saturday minced no words in lashing out at the Tourism Department and alleged that officials were “taking money” from unauthorised agents while collecting parking fees.
Sequeira demanded that the Vigilance Department conduct a thorough probe in the alleged collection of pay parking fees by unauthorised agents in Calangute and Baga.
“The Calangute panchayat had been collecting parking fees earlier, but the Tourism Department had discontinued this arrangement and another contractor has been appointed,” he said.
“All government employees in the Tourism Department who are looking after the Calangute section are involved in collecting money and I don't think the money is going to the government. Let the Vigilance Department conduct an inquiry and bring the case to its logical conclusion,” he said.
With no proper contractor in place, the garbage at the parking area is not being cleared and is being dumped in the booths meant for the police, Sequeira told reporters on Saturday.
At the gram sabha held last week, the sarpanch had alleged that the Tourism Department was issuing “certificates" to individuals to do “photography” on the beach and besides authorising many “guides”. “We found that these notorious elements also hand out cards for prostitution and dance bars,” he charged.
“All these nefarious activities are tarnishing the image of Calangute and we have approached the Tourism Director and have asked him to conduct inquiries into the matter,” he said.