MARGAO: The shack owners may have got a relief after the government promised early licence this time. But the issues of electricity, toilets and the beach infrastructure still remain a major worry for several shack operators.
Cruz Cardozo of the Shack Owners Welfare Society said that the issues of toilets at shacks, getting affordable electricity connection and the beach infrastructure remain an area of major concern.
“I congratulate the tourism minister and the tourism director for getting us the allotment before business begins,” said Cruz Cardozo.
“We are buying eco-friendly bio-toilets for shacks and sometimes the rents for these toilets increase to unaffordable levels. We expect the government shoulder the responsibility of getting us the toilets,” Cruz said.
As far electricity, Cruz said that the shack owners are charged more than the industries. “The Electricity Department takes a security deposit, but does not refund as they say that they don’t have funds. Why do shack owners pay deposit every time when they already have it deposited?” Cruz asked.
Cruz said that the beach infrastructure is very poor and expects the tourism minister to take up the issue.
Cruz informed that there was a meeting called by the Tourism Minister to discuss the issues of beach infrastructure which was attended by the sarpanchas, panchas of coastal panchayats, shack owners and tourism officials. “The minister discussed his plans to have toilets and changing rooms on beaches and we expect that it happens soon,” Cruz said.
It may be observed that there are pristine beaches all over Goa but can’t be reached due to lack of proper access and also lack of facilities. The tourism ministry will have an uphill task to resolve the age old issues and accelerate business growth in the State.
