TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Shack allotment has further run into rough weather with a delay into the allotments becoming inevitable, with another faction of shack operators ~ The Shack Owners Welfare Society, issuing a legal notice to the government, challenging any changes made to the cabinet approved policy for 2013-16.
The second legal notice comes days after the Traditional Shack Operators Association headed by Manuel Cardozo served a legal notice to the government stating that it would move the High Court if the government went ahead with the categorised allotment of 90:10 which was a modification made to the cabinet approved shack policy 2013-16.
One way or the other, the shack operators are expected to move the Court leaving serious doubts on whether the government would be able to proceed with plans for allotting shacks before the tourist charters arrive in Goa.
This year shack operators were hoping to start operations early as they claim to have suffered huge losses due to a delay in the allotment process last year.
On Friday, SOWS headed by Cruz Cardozo issued a legal notice to the chief secretary and tourism director intimating them of legal action if changes were effected to the cabinet approved policy.
SOWS has strongly objected to any change in the Shack Policy of 2013-16 and has alleged that frivolous objections are being raised by certain sections of shack operators.
“We have urged the government not to fall prey to unfair demands of a disgruntled lot of shack operators as it would disrupt the shack business for the forthcoming tourism season,” Cruz Cardozo said.
He also said that SOWS was extremely satisfied with the Shack Policy 2013-16 as it is in keeping with the provisions of law.
“Any delay in the allotment of shacks will be a loss for those in the business,” Cardozo said adding that many of the shack operators have already submitted their applications to the department with requisite fees after the same was advertised earlier this week.
The legal notice issued by the Traditional Shack Operators Association is currently before the government and the latest notice issued Friday by SOWS is also expected to be placed before the government for appropriate decision.
