PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the establishments, which had excise and health licences before 1991, will be given relief from CRZ rule.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “Those who have excise and health licences prior to 1991 for running restaurants will be given relaxation from CRZ rules. A plan for CRZ 2019 is also underway. It is my firm opinion that they should get relief. Whatever is required we will do. Whether to get it from the Central government or to make an amendment here, it will be done.”
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “We have requested the Chief Minister that there are many persons in the coastal areas who have been in business for years, even before the CRZ came into existence. They are running restaurants and guesthouses. But their commercial activities are being termed illegal by the court. I have made a request that the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoFCC) should come out with a notification for all these traditional habitants along the coast.”
“There are various cases coming up due to which the local businessmen are forced to go to court and spend huge amounts of money. There should be a final solution for all the residents staying in the coastal areas. The earlier notification mentions only houses and not commercial establishments which could be part of a house,” he said. “We had made a request in this regard, but we were told that it is too late and nothing can be done as the Model Code of Conduct has come into force. Therefore, we have renewed the request saying that it should be part and parcel of the amendment. It will help people staying right from Keri to Canacona,” Lobo said.
