from daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji. Feb 26: Rubbishing Goa's image as sex destination, Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane has said that to combat human trafficking, a "code of conduct" will be imposed on those in the tourism business.
"Goa is not a sex capital. Don't compare us with Pataya, Bangkok or Bali," Rane said on Sunday at a regional seminar on integrated plan of action to prevent and combat human trafficking with special focus on children and women.
While various speakers expressed concern over increasing human trafficking in the state, Rane declared implementation of an action plan to combat trafficking of children and women.
"We will involve all agencies and establishments in this action plan to nullify human trafficking in Goa," Rane said.
Admitting that Goa's $900 million worth tourism industry "is inevitably accompanied by pedophilia and human trafficking," the chief minister cited instances of bar girls, who were sent back to their natives.
"Bar girls, who were found in Goa, were sent back to Mumbai and Bangalore from where they had come. Those who brought them here were booked," Rane said.
"We favour zero tolerance towards immoral and illegal activities and our objective is to improve the quality of life, eradicate poverty and illiteracy," he said.