Team Herald
PANJIM: The government on Tuesday assured the High Court of Bombay at Goa to defer the allotment of shacks, scheduled on October 17, until court’s decision into a petition challenging the experience criteria for applying for beach shacks.
The High Court is hearing a petition filed by 31 petitioners, who have challenged the reservation of 90 per cent for the experienced beach shack operators claiming that the balance 10 percent is injustice on the unemployed and freshers in the business. The petitioners pointed out to sudden change in second criteria wherein minimum 5 years is required for being eligible to be an allottee, whereas until last year the eligibility was three years.
“The (Beach Shack Policy 2019-22) has changed the experience criteria. It has moved the bar higher. You (government) are creating an artificial class based on experience,” the petitioners stated.
The division bench of Justices Mahesh Sonak and Nutan Sardessai sought an explanation from the government on the change in the years of experience and expressed concern on the manner in which allotment is being done.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam assured to keep on hold the allotment of shacks, scheduled on October 17 and submit a reply on this day. The court has adjourned the matter for further hearing to October 18.
The government, on Sunday declared that it has preponed the draw of lots for the allotment of 367 shacks to October 17, which was earlier, slated on October 22.
The petitioners have also questioned as to why public beach space should not be auctioned for shack operations, rather than allotting through lottery.
