PANJIM: Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar assured shack operators that their views and suggestions to improve regulatory mechanisms and modalities from the upcoming tourist season will be considered while finalising the shack policy for 2017-20.
The minister’s assurance came during a high-level meeting of coastal MLAs, representatives of shack operators, tourism officials and other government agencies on Thursday to review the Shack Policy 2013-16. Various issues were raised by the public and private shack operators during the meeting wherein Tourism Department was urged to increase the implementation period of the shack policy to five years from the existing three years.
Parulekar was apprised of the NGT matter pertaining to shacks and was requested to expedite the survey on the beach carrying capacity. Shack operators insisted that Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority expedite the exercise so as to ensure there is no delay in the allotment process for the next season.
Tourism Department brought up the issues of mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in shacks, proper disposal of garbage, installation of toilets, as well as CCTVS for surveillance of a beach stretch as a part of the security measures.
“The government has agreed that a special committee of government officials and shack operators be constituted to ensure strict action terms against those violating the terms and conditions of the Shack Policy especially with regard to sub-letting of shacks after the allotment process,” an official said. The assurance was based on requests from shack operators and supported by Benaulim MLA Caetano (Caitu) Silva to crackdown on the violators and protect the interest of genuine Goan shack owners.
A suggestion that shack operators be registered under the Goa Tourism Trade Act was made, besides suggestions that they obtain all licenses from various departments and introduction of a Single Window System for obtaining the licenses was also mulled.
This came with another set of requests to consider reducing license fees, and increasing the number of deck beds and tables.
RDA Minister Alina Saldanha insisted on strict monitoring of shack operators while also urging them to carry out business with responsibility and self regulation.
“The Shack Policy for 2013-16 was implemented successfully and helped regulate shack operations in public and private areas. There is need to further fine tune it leaving no scope for any violations. The new Shack Policy for the upcoming season will be placed before the cabinet shortly and once approved will be implemented in time,” Parulekar said.
