TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: As shack operators begin erecting shacks for the season, the tourism department would begin on site verification of the shacks to ensure that they adhere to all conditions specified in the Shack Policy and only then issue the licence for commencement of business.
A senior official in the tourism department said that by next week most of the shacks would be erected and site inspections would be done to ensure that they comply with the allocated location and size of the structure as defined in the policy.
“Under no circumstance will we permit any violation on these aspects and no licence will be issued if any of the shacks are not (constructed) in keeping with the prescribed size and location,” the official said.
The department has also initiated the process for empanelling service providers for supply of chemical toilets and the shack operators would be taken on board while finalising the same. The shack operators can choose the service provider and thereafter procure the chemical toilets, install them and ensure that there is no violation in terms of management and disposal of sewerage and waste water.
Likewise, the shack operators would also have to install CCTVs and the tourism department is considering grant of sufficient time for shack operators to install the same.
As far as deck beds and umbrellas are concerned, the tourism department is permitting 10 pairs of deck beds per shack, while unemployed youth would be allowed 8 deck beds and hotels with beach front would be allowed 25. The tourism ministry is expecting to generate huge revenue from this.
Officials are confident that shack operators would strictly adhere to the rules and regulations as any violation would cost them dearly of forfeiting their licence and a ban for three years.
Tourism Department officials warned that under no circumstance they would permit any violation on location and size of the structure and no licence would be issued if a shack found violating these specifications
