Team Herald
PANJIM: Following directions from Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, the Tourism Department has issued show cause notices to over 105 traders involved in hospitality sector for operating business without valid registration.
Sources said that notices are issued to those traders, who have registered their businesses but not renewed and those who have not registered at all and are operating.
The department is monitoring various travel related websites to trace the hotels, guest houses, villas and other such units which are working without valid registration.
The action comes following Small and Medium Hoteliers Association submission to the Tourism Minister pointing out that there are over 11,000 illegal traders in the hospitality sector.
Sources said that the department will give traders reasonable time to comply with the law of register, may be 10-15 days. “If they still do not or in future such things are repeated, we will shortlist them for further action,” the sources said.
Action in form of sealing the premises or disconnecting electricity and water connections are being considered by the department.
Meanwhile, the department is in process of streamlining the registration process of all trades. The department has identified areas that had loopholes and needed simplification.
“It will also motivate them to run the trade and get registrations done easily. If despite this simplification process, the traders don’t do it we will also achieve more powers to seal the premises and also to cut off their power and water connection,” the sources said.
The Tourism Department will soon be launching facility where citizens can register the complaints against illegal trade and the complaint name will be kept confidential.
To facilitate the tourists visiting the State, the department intends to start Call Centre facility to get information about Goa and its activities, etc, when they are in Goa and also to lodge complaints regarding any illegality.
“Once it is set up it will be helpful for tourists and locals. File has been moved and waiting for the government approval,” the sources said adding in the coming two months this should be in place.
