PANJIM: Traditional
Goan shack owners have sought a new policy for newcomers in the business and a
longer licence period for the established restaurateurs.
The
shack operators, at a general body meeting on Monday, decided to put forth such
a proposal before Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar as discussions for the new
shack policy 2017-20 are underway.
“Our
demand is that shack operators who are in the business for several years and
decades be given five year license, whereas newcomers should undergo lottery
system annually. Government should make provision of additional shacks for the
new shack operators. Let the fresh ones be allotted shacks based on lottery
system every year,” President of Shack Owners Welfare Society Cruz Cardozo told
Herald.
They also
resolved that genuine licensed shack owners be given priority and called for a
crackdown on illegal shacks. The association is expected to hold another
meeting of its members shortly.
The
minister, at a high level meeting last month had assured that the government
would take shack owners and other tourism stakeholders into confidence while
improving regulatory mechanisms and modalities from the upcoming tourist
season. The government has already begun the process to review the Shack Policy
2013-16.
