CALANGUTE: A shack owner from Tivai Vaddo-Calangute, Paulo J Mascarenhas, has taken up the alleged encroachment on government land in Calangute by a non-Goan builder. He claimed that if the Tourism department had to act immediately after a news report on the matter was published, the environment would not have been destroyed and Tivai Vaddo locals would not be forced to agitate. He hoped the department would get back the encroached land as it was designated for beach shacks.
“In May 2015, I had submitted a written complaint to the Director of Tourism over the encroachment on government land along the Tivai Vaddo shores by a non-Goan builder. I was assured immediate action by the officials. However, till date and despite regular visits to the department, no action was taken, except for a survey allegedly carried out on June 26, 2015, without even informing me, being the complainant. I am doing the job of the Tourism department,” said Mascarenhas.
He further said, “I am unemployed for the last three years as I did not get a lot for putting up a shack along the beach. The encroachment by the builder will further bring down the number of shacks. The department should have acted immediately and saved the sand dunes, besides averting the damages caused to nature.”
He continued, “It is now more than two months, and there is still no action. The department again assured to resolve the issue by July 31, but time is running out. I am sorry to say that the Director of Tourism asked me to obtain a copy of action initiated by the department under RTI. Is the complainant not supposed to know what action has been initiated by the Tourism department in such a serious matter?”
The Director of Tourism was not available for comments on Mascarenhas’ allegations.
