TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: While beach shacks have been allotted elsewhere in the State, shack operators at Palolem Beach have been left high and dry for the fourth time in as many years after the Tourism Department put on hold allotment of beach shacks at Palolem beach.
The tourism department on Wednesday reportedly kept in abeyance the allotment of beach shacks at Palolem Beach and sources said the allotment will be done only after inspection of the beach.
Angered over the delay, shack operators in the area have questioned the Tourism department’s decision to leave out Palolem, while allotting shacks to other beaches in South and North Goa.
“Why was Palolem beach not inspected along with the rest of the beaches, which were due for allotment of shacks? We demand an explanation from the tourism officials,” complained an applicant.
“Palolem beach is continuously being denied shacks, despite being one of the oldest beaches to have traditional shacks in the tourism belt,” he added.
Another seasoned applicant accused the State government of mockery in the allotment of shacks at Palolem last year.
“The Tourism department allotted only three shacks out of the customary eight shacks and that too, only in February, the fag end of tourism season. Due to this late allotment, these three shack owners did not risk the setting up of these shacks for fear of suffering heavy losses. As a result, an entire tourism season passed by without a shack at Palolem beach,” he said.
According to sources, there are about eight applicants for the allotment of three slots, which the Tourism department reportedly proposed with traditional beach shacks at Palolem this season. Six applicants reportedly have over nine years of experience, while the other two applicants are newcomers in the trade.
When contacted, Canacona Municipal Council Chairperson Mahadev Dessai preferred to give his personal opinion saying, “The State government should allot traditional beach shacks as it will provide employment to locals and also give revenue to the State and civic coffers.”
“But, I think some business rivalry is being brought forth every time to deny beach shacks at Palolem, even after a court disposed off a petition against the permitting of shacks,” he said.
Dessai clarified that the council has not sought to deny shacks at Palolem beach.
