TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The tourism ministry is seeking views of MLAs representing coastal areas before it finalises the beach shack policy and places it for approval of the Cabinet.
The Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar along with Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar will be convening a meeting of coastal MLAs shortly for their views on the shack policy. There is a proposal that shack licenses be given for a period of three years or more specifically 3 seasons.
“Since coastal MLAs represent the stakeholders it was felt that their views be sought for before finalising the shack policy,” said a highly placed official in the tourism ministry.
The policy will also be submitted to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for its approval.
The tourism ministry is hoping to complete the allotment process by mid- September. Last year the process was completed only by October 18 which irked shack operators who claimed to have lost business during the prime time of the season.
The tourism ministry is also hoping to introduce CCTVs in shacks from this year as part of safety measures considering the fact that the license fee for a longer term will see shack operators agreeing to implementation of several proposals in the shack policy.
As far as the shacks in private property, the tourism department is presently conducting hearings of those parties who have violated the shack policy.
“Those who have failed to remove the shacks in private property will be dealt with strictly under the law and security deposits will be forfeited,” said a top official in the department.
Barring the offenders from applying afresh for a license is also on the cards.
All those who have violated the shack policy will be barred from applying for a licence for three years, said this official.
In the meanwhile, the beach cleaning tenders has received a good response and close to eight agencies each have applied for providing beach cleaning services through mechanised and manuals methods in the North and South coastal belts of the State.
The tenders for beach safety and water patrol is also expected to be re-floated shortly.
