PANAJI: Goa will be the first state in the country to have a full-fledged tourist security force (TSF) reporting directly to the tourism department by early next year.
The TSF's task will include: patrolling Goan tourist hotspots, preventing crime and generally aiding tourists.
The tourism department, already, has an informal tourist security force of about 35 ex-servicemen working on contract basis. Now, it has advertised for 246 posts of tourist wardens and 230 posts of assistant tourist wardens. The physical tests of the candidates will be conducted from August 16 to August 30 at various centres in the different talukas of Goa.
Tourism director Swapnil Naik told TOI that only a few states in India have tourist security forces. For example, Tamil Nadu has enlisted ex-servicemen for such a force. However, Goa will be the first state to have a full-fledged force of 476 men under 25 years of age in two categories. The tourist security wardens are required to be matriculates and will be on the level of police constables. The assistant tourist wardens may be under-matriculates. The force will report directly to the tourism department.
Naik said the TSF will be deployed at tourist attractions in Goa such as beaches, churches, and temples. "Initially, they will not be armed but the government has plans to later give them powers under the police act and even equip them with arms," Naik said.
After the physical tests in August, interviews will be conducted and recruitment will be completed by October. The force should be operational by January or February, 2012, Naik said, adding that the personnel will receive six-months training on various subjects including aspects of law, information on Goa, language skills, etc.
Beside law and order, the TSF will monitor and enforce certain aspects of tourism, like ensuring that beach shacks comply with government regulations. The force will prevent nefarious activities on the beach to the point of even ensuring that only the permitted number of deck beds are put on the beach by shack owners.
The idea was originally mooted by the central government and has been on the state government's wish-list since 2008. In fact, discussions in the Goa legislative assembly in 2008 had proposed that the TSF could be helpful in combating the problem of beggars, hawkers, vendors and masseurs on Goa's beaches.
source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-to-have-full-fledged-tourist-security-force/articleshow/9547456.cms
Crosswoods holidays 2011
The TSF's task will include: patrolling Goan tourist hotspots, preventing crime and generally aiding tourists.
The tourism department, already, has an informal tourist security force of about 35 ex-servicemen working on contract basis. Now, it has advertised for 246 posts of tourist wardens and 230 posts of assistant tourist wardens. The physical tests of the candidates will be conducted from August 16 to August 30 at various centres in the different talukas of Goa.
Tourism director Swapnil Naik told TOI that only a few states in India have tourist security forces. For example, Tamil Nadu has enlisted ex-servicemen for such a force. However, Goa will be the first state to have a full-fledged force of 476 men under 25 years of age in two categories. The tourist security wardens are required to be matriculates and will be on the level of police constables. The assistant tourist wardens may be under-matriculates. The force will report directly to the tourism department.
Naik said the TSF will be deployed at tourist attractions in Goa such as beaches, churches, and temples. "Initially, they will not be armed but the government has plans to later give them powers under the police act and even equip them with arms," Naik said.
After the physical tests in August, interviews will be conducted and recruitment will be completed by October. The force should be operational by January or February, 2012, Naik said, adding that the personnel will receive six-months training on various subjects including aspects of law, information on Goa, language skills, etc.
Beside law and order, the TSF will monitor and enforce certain aspects of tourism, like ensuring that beach shacks comply with government regulations. The force will prevent nefarious activities on the beach to the point of even ensuring that only the permitted number of deck beds are put on the beach by shack owners.
The idea was originally mooted by the central government and has been on the state government's wish-list since 2008. In fact, discussions in the Goa legislative assembly in 2008 had proposed that the TSF could be helpful in combating the problem of beggars, hawkers, vendors and masseurs on Goa's beaches.
source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-to-have-full-fledged-tourist-security-force/articleshow/9547456.cms
Crosswoods holidays 2011
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