The Tourism Department finally invited applications for shacks on beaches but it comes with a rider of the allotment being subject to the approval of the Shack Policy by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. So, just how serious is the government on the tourism front and on ensuring that the season is a success? There are still no shacks on the beaches and the invitation for applications is not going to hasten the process in any way. The reason for the delay in finalizing the shack policy is that the body that has to approve the policy, the GCZMA is not in place. It has to be constituted, then clear the policy proposal following which the cabinet will give its nod to the shack policy and then it will be notified. It is after all this that the process of allotting shacks can actually begin.
But, before the reconstituted GCZMA clears the policy proposal it has to study the beach carrying capacity report and give its approval based on the recommendations of that report. If all goes well, then the earliest that one will be able to see shacks dotting the beaches of Goa will possibly be towards the end of November. So the move seeking applications for shacks, in the absence of the authority, will not fast track the process.
In such a situation, can the shack operators be blamed for protesting the delay in finalizing the policy or saying that they will not be interested in opening shacks if the licenses are not given early enough in the season? The delay is leading to a standoff between the government and the shack operators that could result in no shacks on the beaches this season. The tourism industry just limped past one low season that saw a drop in the number of charter flights. It can ill afford a season without the trademark shacks on the beaches of the State.
While the shacks provide the tourists – international and domestic – with reasonably priced food on their holiday that can be enjoyed sitting on the sands of Goa with a view of the waters of the Arabian Sea lashing the shore, the shacks are also a source of income to thousands who either operate them or are employed on the temporary structures. A delay of a day results in a loss for the operator and for the employee. Shack operators do not pay employees their salaries during the off season. The shack employees get paid only when the shacks are operational. While the shack operator will be waiting for the allotment with his investment and materials for construction ready, thousands of skilled and unskilled youth will be waiting for a seasonal job whose earnings in six months keep them going for the entire year. Can the government consider their plight as it takes the slow route towards finalising the shack policy?
From the environment point of view the carrying capacity report is important as is the clearance from the GCZMA. There is no disputing that environmental concerns are of paramount importance and have to be considered before the shack policy is finalised. But what is unacceptable is that the entire shack industry is being held back just because the government has been unable to constitute the GCZMA. The term of the previous GCZMA expired on July 21 and last month the government dissolved the temporary committee after the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) rejected the State’s plea to extend the previous body’s term. The new authority is expected to be constituted this week but can it clear the policy without studying the beach cleaning capacity? The government itself is not sure and has sought legal opinion on this, which places a question mark on the Diwali deadline for shack allotments.
A government that works at such a slow pace on an issue that is of such economic importance indicates that it does not have its priorities in place. The tourism industry and the shack operators deserve a better deal than what they are currently getting from the government.
