Team Herald
MARGAO: The Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS) has urged the Tourism Department to extend the payment deadline for shack owners who wish to participate in the upcoming tourist season.
In a letter addressed to the Director of Tourism, the society emphasized the need for flexibility, especially for those who were unable to secure licences in the previous season. The call for an extension comes as the department is set to commence the demarcation process for beach shacks next week, a critical step to ensure smooth operations in line with the CRZ guidelines and the Beach Shacks Policy 2023-2026.
Society President Cruz Cardozo has praised the Tourism Department for its proactive approach in accepting payments in a timely manner, which he believes will help streamline the start of the new season. However, Cardozo pointed out that not all shack owners had licenses last year, which could pose financial challenges for them to make immediate payments for the upcoming season. “We kindly request an extension of the payment date for these shack owners to accommodate their circumstances and enable them to participate in the upcoming season,” he said.
The society also stressed the importance of involving shack owners in the demarcation process to ensure transparency and address any issues that may arise. Cardozo emphasized that such collaboration between the department and shack owners would be beneficial for both parties, helping to balance tourism development with coastal conservation. The involvement of shack owners would provide an opportunity to address their concerns, ensuring a fair and transparent demarcation process.
SOWS also highlighted that some shack licenses were not issued in the previous season due to various reasons, which created difficulties for those shack owners. In light of this, the society requested that the Tourism Director take steps to ensure that pending licenses are issued promptly. This would enable shack owners to comply with necessary regulations and acquire all required permits, allowing them to set up operations without any further delays.
Pointing out that as per the rules and policy, the tourist season is officially scheduled to start in September and continue until May 31 each year, SOWS said that in order to adhere to these guidelines, it is crucial to have a clear and timely demarcation of beach shacks so that shack owners can prepare adequately for the season.
SOWS emphasized on the need for a collaborative and well-structured approach to managing beach shacks, emphasizing that such measures will benefit both the authorities and the shack owners in the long run. As the new tourist season approaches, the society hopes the Tourism Department will consider their requests for better coordination and support.