TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The issuing of site clearance certificates by local bodies, to shack owners, even as many have not removed their structures, has led the tourism department to warn local bodies against conniving with shack operators in issuing false site clearance certificates. If they are found violating orders they would face civil and criminal proceedings, the department has cautioned.
The orders were issued by the Tourism Ministry to all village panchayats and municipal councils particularly those in coastal areas as the Tourism Department is intensifying its exercise of verifying the removal of shacks along the coastline.
‘In case it is observed that site clearance certificates are issued and the structures continue to exist, then the same shall be viewed seriously and civil and criminal proceedings shall be initiated against the authority who issues the site clearance certificate,’ reads the order signed by Tourism Director Nikhil Desai.
Those shack operators involved in violating the Beach Shack Policy will also be penalised and barred from applying for shack licenses for three years, in addition to forfeiting the security deposit for the season.
This exercise is being co-ordinated with the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.
According to officials, submission of site clearance certificates issued by local bodies have been made mandatory this year for submission by shack operators after removing their structures.
Ministry level officials say that shacks in public property have all been cleared and certificates submitted accordingly. However, the ministry has found lapses on the part of shack operators doing business from private property.
It has come to the notice of the ministry that structures continue to exist even as clearance certificates are issued. The existence of the structures for the period June to August is violative of the Coastal Regulatory Zone Regulations.
“We have noted that several shacks and huts continue to exist and have been covered with tarpaulin at many places,” said a top official in Tourism Dept.
This has been noted in areas of Vagator, Anjuna, Arambol, Morjim, Canacona and coastal areas in Salcete.
Officials say that site verifications have revealed existence of shack structures and panchnamas are being conducted.
The Tourism Ministry has decided to physically verify the beach belt as far as removal of shacks in private property are concerned as it is suspected that local village panchayats and municipal bodies in coastal areas are allegedly issuing false clearance certificates without verifying the removal of the same first.
“We will proceed to take action against the errant panchayats or councils and also have the structures demolished with the help of the district authorities,” the official said.
