Yuri Alemao, the leader of the opposition, alleged on Monday that the state’s new jetty policy will turn Goa into a coal hub and a gambling den. He also claimed that many activists and people have criticized the government’s move, arguing that the jetty policy is against the interests of the community.

Alemao said, “The Goa government is trying to support crony capitalists by proposing the jetty policy. There is absolutely no clarity on Jetty policy. We don’t know who is the operator and owner of it. Maybe those into the coal business and casino operators will be the owners of it.”

“The government is trying to convert Goa into a coal hub and a gambling den. We will object to the jetty policy,” Alemao added, stating that the “Copy Paste” Goa Tourism Policy and Master Plan, which was created at a cost of over Rs 5 crore, must first be reviewed by Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.

However, Rohan Khaunte, the minister of tourism, had already made it clear that the Jetty Policy was being suggested to promote tourism saying, “Some say that this policy is for coal. But we are clear that this is a tourism jetty policy. We want to remove touts from the tourism spots and we have already started the action.”

The jetty policy was introduced in order to harness the full potential of Goan waters for tourism purposes. The policy aims for regulating the introduction and operation of any passenger cruise vessel or operator using any Jetty that is existing or upcoming jetties proposed by any Government department in Goa.

The opposition have been against the policy, so currently, the administration has left the draft policy open for criticism and suggestions until October 31 following the outcry over the jetty policy.