HERALD: The season has already begun but still the licences are awaited from the Tourism Department. Who do you think is responsible for the delay?
CRUZ CARDOZO: Let me put it like this, all policies of licences are done by the government, so obviously the government has to be blamed for the delay. This not the first time the shack policy is delayed, it has been happening for year and every time it is the same problem.
HERALD: So you feel government is solely responsible for the current mess?
CRUZ: Obviously, they are helping the casino operators, even though they have been asked to move out of river Mandovi they still remain anchored there. Similarly, they should also help local Goans.
HERALD: But the delay was due to the National Green Tribunal order, right?
CRUZ: The NGT alone cannot be blamed for the delay. I will say that the case was not defended properly and therefore the order was passed ex parte. The case was on since 2014, so why was the beach carrying capacity done for last two years? Why did they have to wait till now?
HERALD: Realistically, when do you think the shacks would start?
CRUZ: We have no idea when it will begin or when we will get the licences. If the government wants they can give us today itself. They have done in case of Investment Promotion Board proposals to help industries. They came out with an Ordinance to save Cidade de Goa so why can’t they come out with an Ordinance to help shack owners. It will help to local Goans.
HERALD: There are complains that some illegal shacks and beach beds have already come up on the coastline?
CRUZ: People are disappointed, there is a peak season going on but they don’t have shacks. So what do they do? Besides the five star hotels like the Ramada, Taj and Leela have already running businesses on the beaches and nobody is taking any action on them. The cream is being taken by the five star and we then have to be satisfied with the leftover.
HERALD: What is the Tourism Department saying now?
CRUZ: Well, they have issued the advertisement for grant of shack licences 10 days ago but till date nothing is done awaiting GCZMA approval of shack policy. The GCZMA says now they will conduct an inspection after which they will meet again on Tuesday and take a decision.
HERALD: So what is your next action after the protest at Paryatan Bhavan?
CRUZ: We will hold a meeting on Monday and then decide what action to take. We feel enough is enough the government is not at all sympathetic to our grievances. The Chief Minister and the Tourism Minister have given assurances but besides that nothing has been done.
HERALD: Practically, if licences are given today when do you think the shacks can start?
CRUZ: Minimum 10 to 15 days. There are lots of things to do besides erecting the structure we also need to arrange everything, recruit staff, etc. So if we are looking at licences around November 10, the shacks can’t start before November 20 or 25.
