'No Restrictions On What To Eat, Where To Go': CM Pramod Sawant Says Goa 'Open For All' At Ideas Of India
Pramod Sawant said that tourists coming to Goa are free to eat and wear as per their choice. The CM also reiterated that Goa is the most safe and secure state in the country for tourists.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday spoke on tourism in Goa and also shared his views on the recent reports of altercations between the locals and tourists in the state.
Responding to a question on 'moral policing', Pramod Sawant said that tourists coming to the coastal state are free to eat and wear as per their choice. He also reiterated that Goa is the most safe and secure state in the country for tourists.
"There are two types of tourists coming to Goa, one for enjoyment and the other for spirituality...Some people come only for enjoyment...Let them enjoy," the Goa CM said while speaking at ABP Network's Ideas of India 2025 Summit in Mumbai.
"We are welcoming all sorts of tourists coming to the state. Those who want to enjoy nightlife, the state is also for them as well as for other," he added.
On the question of instances of moral policing where people are told what to eat and wear, CM Pramod Sawant said, "In states like Goa, it is Atithi Devo Bhava. Those who are coming to Goa, in whatever way they are coming, and whatever they eat, we welcome that."
Watch | Ideas of India के मंच से गोवा के CM प्रमोद सावंत ने कहा, 'VIP कल्चर नहीं होना चाहिए'@DrPramodPSawant | @pratimamishra04#PramodSawant #ABPIdeasOfIndia #IdeasOfIndia2025 #MinuteInfinite #IdeasOfIndia pic.twitter.com/Cu7vgfu0Wr
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Goa is one of the few states in India where there is no restriction on eating beef. The Pramod Sawant-led government has allowed beef to be procured only from the Goa Meat Complex abattoir. As per government statistics, 20-25 tonnes of beef is sold in the state daily, and the sale increases during tourist and festive seasons.
"It is foremost important for Goa to welcome the tourists in the best way. So, whosoever is coming to Goa, he is enjoying his holiday in the state of Goa. Therefore, there are no restrictions on what to eat or where to go. It is open 24X7 for all," he added.
He attributed to the freedom to choose what to eat and go as the reason behind people of all ages preferring Goa for holiday.
Speaking on the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, the Goa CM said that he went to the Sangam for 'Amrit Snan'.
"I took the 'Amrit Snan'. I wouldn't call it a dubki. I took the 'Amrit Snan'. There is positivity and there is positive feeling, which you can recognise only after going there. More than 50 crore pilgrims have taken Amrit Snan there. I had the same positive feeling there," he added.
The chief minister also said that there is no need for VIP treatment at Maha Kumbh and downplayed the findings of the NGT report on Ganga's water quality during Kumbh.
While responding to reports of altercations between the tourists and the locals, Sawant said, "There have been two incidents. I express my concern over the incidents. This should not have happened. Such incidents happen when there is a confrontation from both sides. After the incidents, we have increased Civil security in places where there are crowds."
He added that the government has deployed Pink force and Tourist Police in crowded places which see tourist footfalls.
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