'Invoke ESMA against striking lifeguards'

Panaji:Tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said his ministry has proposed to the home department that it initiate action under the Essential Services Maintenance Act ( ESMA ) against the lifeguards of Drishti Lifesaving, who have been on strike for the last five days. Ajgaonkar said his department is highly concerned about the safety of tourists and, in this connection, has already asked chief minister Pramod Sawant to intervene and initiate necessary action.

“The chief minister has assured us all his help and has initiated ESMA proceedings for the safety of tourists,” the tourism minister said.

At a meeting held in Mapusa on Monday, lifeguards declined to work under Drishti. They suggested they be recruited through a corporation or society. However, Ajgaonkar said the problem is between Drishti and the lifeguards.

Hitting out at the Congress which on Monday had called for his resignation over the three drowning deaths seen in the state in a span of few day, Ajgaonkar termed the demand as baseless and silly.

“Tourism department doesn’t function the way it used to during your time. Now everything is crystal clear as we adopted the most transparent methods while floating the tenders. Everything was widely discussed in the assembly,” Ajgaonkar said.

“Levelling allegations without any concrete proof only goes on to show your frustration. You have been out of power for some time and one can understand your desperation to remain in the news,” he said.“The Congress should have by now realised that they have lost the trust of the people not only in Goa, but also nationally, because of their corrupt practices,,” Ajgaonkar said.