Team Herald
PANJIM: The Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS) of Goa, in representations sent to the Chief Minister, Tourism Minister, Tourism Director and others, has placed several requests for the upcoming season in view of the difficulties they have faced due to the pandemic, which has had a detrimental effect on the tourism sector.
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“We are aware of the difficult financial situation of the Government on the account of the lockdown and the slowdown of the economy; hence we are not making any financial demands. However, we do request that for the coming season in view of the difficulties caused to us and the likely fall in tourism in the coming season – that the collection of tourism licence and other fees for shacks, sun beds including excise fees for year 2021-22 be waived, “said Cruz Cardozo, SOWS president.
SOWS also listed out their various grievances while also acknowledging that the State government had reduced the fees for the last tourism season (2020-21).
“We have been allotted shacks for a three-year period ending in May 2022. We have completed two years of the allotment. As you are aware, in the last two tourism seasons, the shacks were allotted only in November 2019 due to some legal dispute. Thereafter as a result of COVID-19 and the consequent lockdown, the shacks could operate only from the end of November to February 2020 and 2021 respectively,” said Cardozo.
SOWS has thus appealed that the government issues the shack owners licenses in September itself for the erection of beach shacks without any delay , while further pointing out that once they get the permission from the department, they still have to approach other departments such as the panchayats.
SOWS also pointed out that they were not charged fees for beach beds in the past as the licence fees included the bed fees. They questioned why this additional cost is being imposed on them for this season. Similarly they are against paying the Rs 30,000 to Goa Electronic Limited (GEL) as fees for work as the shack owners can do on their own. They said these fees are exorbitant and that it lays an additional burden on the shack owners. They further pointed out that when it comes to excise fees, it is for a period of 5 years but their shack license ends next year and thus this issue needs to be addressed as well.
He however appealed to all tourists visiting shacks to follow the prevailing SOPs and safety precautions. Cardozo also said they have vaccinated their staff as well.
Cardozo however said it is imperative they get all their permissions fast so that they can start making their plans for the season.
