Goa MLA Lavoo Mamledar proposes concept of bikni beach with an entry fee

PANAJI: The bikini controversy just doesn't seem to leave Goa's shores. Barely a month-and-a-half after a senior minister from the ruling BJP government's ally, the MGP, called for a ban on bikinis on the state's beaches, the party's Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar has suggested setting up a "bikini beach" in Goa.

Mamledar told the state legislative assembly, during last Thursday's discussion on demands for grants to tourism, that a fee of Rs 1,000-2,000 per person should be charged for entering the "special beach".

Justifying his suggestion to the House, Mamledar told STOI that his statement was a sequel to the June-end demand of his party leader and PWD minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar for a ban on bikinis and mini-skirts.

Pointing out that Dhavalikar's statement attracted "some negative reaction" from the tourism industry, which felt it would reduce tourist inflow, Mamledar said he wanted to find an "alternative". "I feel the best thing the government can do on this issue is to demarcate a beach and declare it as a special bikini beach," said Mamledar, asserting that this would get more tourists and generate more revenue to the exchequer.

Mamledar, a former deputy superintendent of police, said he is also of the view that bikinis should not be allowed on "crowded beaches".

The state government appears to be ignoring Mameldar's statement. "It's the personal view of an MLA and there's no question of the government considering it," tourism minister Dilip Parulekar told STOI.