CMC will curb illegal activities on its civic coast, says CO

CMC will curb illegal activities on its civic coast, says CO
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, FEB 8
Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) Chief Officer L S Pereira has stated that illegal activities, including the Lamani menace, will be curbed on its civic coast.
In an informal chat with few scribes, Pereira informed that CMC will soon inspect the coastal areas within the civic jurisdiction and take suitable action against any illegal activities on the shore.
“We did receive few complaints that some illegal activities that include trades without municipal licenses are underway on the civic coast of Palolem, Ourem, Colomb and Patnem beach areas,” said Pereira.
“We are shortly undertaking a survey of the places to ascertain the complaints and initiate future course of action to stop those malpractices,” added Pereira.
“We cannot simply allow such a dilution of municipal funds,” Pereira also replied in negative when a scribe asked him to provide figures of licenses granted by CMC to operate different trades.
People alleged that several illegal kiosks operating massage parlours have cropped up on the coasts and the same premises are also engaged in other illegal activities.
Pereira again replied in the negative when asked if CMC had issued any license on its coasts, especially Palolem beach, to operate massage parlour.
“We only issued trade license, but the civic body is in the dark as to what trade the licenses are engaged in.”
Pereira informed that he had not received any complaint from any tourist or anyone else of lamani harassments on Palolem beach.
“Unless we receive a complaint, we are unable to act. As far as I know, there is no lamani menace on our beaches,” he said.
When scribes informed that scores of lamanis can be seen at Palolem at any given time, he asked: “Is there ban or can anyone be stopped from moving on a public beach? There are also tourist police posted at Palolem.”
When asked if CMC gets any revenue from these activities, Pereira replied in negative.
“If what you quote is true, we will also initiate action against lamanis, but basically it is the job of tourist police to see such visitors’ harassments, which doesn’t take place in their presence.”
“In our upcoming survey, CMC will try to curb the illegal activities so that the due income is earned for the municipal coffers,” he said.
Pereira also spoke on helplessness to keep a tab where locals obtains licenses and later allows outsiders to operate their business.
“CMC is also aware of parking woes at Palolem and is already seized of the matter to ease the situation,” said Pereira.
He said tourists are indeed less this year, but like most others, he too expects the turnout may increase in the remaining days.