PANJIM: The Small and Medium Hoteliers Association has approached Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar seeking to exempt them from obtaining Consent from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
In a letter to the minister on Wednesday, association vice president Padma Nair and Secretary Antonio D’Souza stated that tourism licences of small and medium hotels guest houses/restaurants having less than 10 beds/rooms be renewed by the Department of Tourism without further hardships with immediate effect.
“We recognise the pollution in Goa and as responsible citizens, would like to play our part in keeping Goa clean. However, we are deeply troubled by the Department of Tourism for not registering or renewing our Hotels/Guest Houses licences attached with Restaurants below 10 beds/rooms which are being subjected to obtain Consent from the Goa State Pollution Control Board,” the letter states.
The association members stated that in general, there needs to be adequate justification for including small medium enterprises having restaurants and hotels/guest houses with 10 rooms or less under the purview of the Goa State Pollution Control Board. “Due to the highly controversial nature of the present system, we demand that the Tourism licences of small and medium hotels guest houses/ restaurants having less than 10 beds/rooms be renewed by the Department of Tourism without further hardship with immediate effect,” it said urging to find a consultative solution to the problems.
