TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PANJIM: The dual citizenship issue had its fallout on the livelihood front with tourism department cancelling a shack allotment and asking the allottee to demolish the shack, since the allottee was found to be having Portuguese nationality, even as the courts are to decide on the issue.
The shack allottee D J Rodrigues applied for shack allotment last October even though he was having Portuguese nationality and succeeded in getting a shack.
Action was initiated by the tourism department when it received a complaint against Rodrigues, a resident of Cavelossim. Tourism department officials said that after conducting a hearing and scrutinizing all documents the shack allottee Rodrigues was confirmed to be a Portuguese national and not eligible for a shack allotment under the shack policy of 2013-16.
“The allottee has been disqualified and the shack was ordered to be demolished,” said a senior official in the tourism department after issuing orders in the case.
The policy for 2013-16 had clearly defined eligibility criteria and stated that foreign nationals could not apply for beach shacks. Even leasing of shacks to foreign nationals was deemed as illegal and unauthorized and liable for action under the provisions of law.
This is the first case in this season where shack allotted to a foreign national has been acted upon.
“This will act as a deterrent for the future and ineligible persons will have to be cautious while trying to bypass the law,” said an tourism department official.
More than six persons have already lost their fees and security deposits, in addition to demolition of their shacks for having secured an allotment by misrepresenting facts.
The tourism department is taking action against errant persons following receipt of complaints.
Colva demolition drive: Meanwhile, the tourism department began a demolition drive against encroachments in Colva from Friday.
The tourism department pointed out that many illegal extensions were observed at the Colva Shopping complex. Change of business with requisite permissions and licences have also been observed. Besides illegal toilets discharging waste into the Colva creek have also been identified.
“All these are sought to be demolished,” said a senior tourism department official.
