TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Close to 25 shack owners at Baga, Vagator, Anjuna, Candolim and Calangute could lose their licenses for violating the shack policy 2013-16 for violating the prescribed sound decibels limits by over 10 times under the policy.
While show cause notices have already been issued to erring shack operators over the past four to five days, the tourism department is likely to take stern action against those found guilty of violating the policy by playing loud music after 8 pm.
“We had received large number of complaints from foreign and domestic tourists on this issue and flying squads were deployed to crack down on violators,” a senior tourism official said.
The official said that the shack operators would bring out the speakers after sunset creating nuisance along the beach belt.
Such incidents have also been reported in south Goa and the tourism department said that its squads would conduct surprise checks and report violations to the department for further action.
“We will move to cancel the licences or impose heavy penalties where violators could lose their security deposits,” said a top department official adding that this could pose a huge problem for violators while seeking renewals in the following season.
It was also disclosed that shacks not using CCTVs under the policy would be penalised. In all 35 to 40 shacks could be axed for the above mentioned violations, says department officials.
Likewise the tourism department has also initiated the process of checking on illegal hotels and guest houses mushrooming in Morjim, Mandrem and Ashwem.
“It is found that even local bodies are abetting the offences by granting licenses for conduct of illegal business of hotels and guest houses,” said a department official.
“Any such unit found to be operating as a hotel or guest house without registration under the tourist trade act will be shut down,” said this official.
Imposition of fines to the tune of Rs 1 lakh and six months imprisonment are some of the penalties proposed against offenders. Similar violations have also been noticed in Canacona and the department is in the process of identifying the same and issuing notices accordingly.
