PANJIM: Following complaints from locals of the Baga-Sinquerim coastal belt, Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar directed his department to crack the whip on erring shack operators claiming that violations are not in the true spirit of healthy tourism practices.
Taking serious cognisance of defiance by shack operators in violating shack policy norms, the Minister said strict monitoring of tourism activities would take place along the entire coastal stretch.
“The violation is not in the true spirit of healthy tourism practices and the government is serious on action against anyone encouraging and deflecting from acting against such violations as well,” Azgaonkar said in a statement issued on Friday.
The Minister assured locals of Baga-Sinquerim of tough action against the violators and violations brought to his notice.
Azgaonkar directed Tourism Department to crack the whip on the erring shack operators. “I will not tolerate this defiance of the shack operators as well as the dereliction of duty of the Department in not clamping down on the same. I have directed the Department of Tourism to act immediately against any such violation of norms under the shack policy,” the Minister said.
Baga-Sinquerim residents brought to the notice of the Minister of various issues affecting them due to unauthorised shack operations.
Azgaonkar also urged Goa Police to keep a strict vigil along the beach belt and swoop down against illegal activities and violations and to act against those breaking the law of the land and bringing disrepute to Goa.
